Chapter 6 #2
He was a biker. Named Bear. That should really put me off, red flags swinging so quickly in my mind that it’s a sea of warning.
However, I must be colourblind, as this only piques my interest. I want to know him more; a roaming biker life sounds so adventurous compared to the static life I’ve lived.
“I’m Holly.” Wincing slightly as I replay our interaction with Ashley, I know I need to give him a way out. “You really don’t have to walk me back, I’m fine.”
Gesturing for me to start walking, I turn towards town, and he falls into step beside me.
“It’s okay,” he comments lightly, and I glance over at the note in his voice. It seems he was waiting for this, as he flashes me a smile. “It gives me an excuse to talk to you.”
I flush, a stupid high-pitch giggle escaping me. Holy souffles, what is going on with me today? I’m acting like a teenager. Thankfully he just chuckles, finding me amusing rather than outright strange.
I need to start acting like a normal human, so I clear my throat to make sensible conversation. “I take it that you’re new to town?”
“I’m just visiting. I’m staying at the B this is a small town, after all.
“Ah, yes. Has Doris given you her personal phone number yet?” I can’t hide my smile.
The elderly lady that runs the Sweet Cakes B she’s pretty unique, and he’s probably trying to avoid saying anything that might upset me.
I’m going to take pity on him and help him out. Snorting, I think back to her rapid departure. “She’s very protective of me.”
He hums in amusement. “Did you know that she’s following us?”
I glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, Ashley dives behind a tree, pretending she’s not stalking us. That warmth I felt earlier spreads through my chest. I never should’ve doubted her. However, she’s clearly desperate to set me up with someone and this was her plan – to follow from a distance.
Do I laugh or apologise for her? This is hardly normal behaviour. Bear is going to think this town is full of lunatics. I settle on both and laugh while shaking my head in disbelief. “Sorry about her, she’s just–”
“Protective. I get it, don’t worry.” He smiles again and it makes the nervous cramping in my stomach disappear. Something about him settles me and makes me feel comfortable, despite the fact that I don’t know him. He puts me at ease.
Stepping into the town square, I glance around at the familiar scene, the various shops beginning to open their doors for the early-morning trade. It hasn’t taken us long to get back; I hadn’t gotten particularly far with my attempt at running.
“You can leave me here.” Pausing at the edge of the pavement, I gesture vaguely to the other side of the town fountain right in the centre of the square. “I’m just over there.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to pass out.
I hear there’s a good bakery around here; maybe you should get some cake,” he suggests very seriously, but I spot the twinkling of amusement in his eyes.
Is he saying this because he’s genuinely concerned that I might fall, or is he trying to spend more time with me?
I’m thinking into this far too much. The poor man is just suggesting I have something to eat and I’m turning it into a big deal. He’s just being nice. Men don’t take strange women on dates when they’ve just met in the park. Especially men that look like him.
He’s waiting for my reply and I’m just standing here like an idiot. Laughing, I pat my gently rounded stomach. “Don’t worry, I know exactly where the cake is.”
Why am I not telling him I own the bakery? Is it because I don’t want a complete stranger to know where I work? Yes, that must be it, as any other possible reasons would be far too complicated for me to contemplate.
“Thank you for bringing me back, Bear,” I add his name on at the last minute, not quite able to hold back my smile.
Back in my apartment above the bakery, I walk straight to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me, and lean against the wall, sliding down as I process what just happened.
I’m hot and flustered and it has nothing to do with my attempt at exercise and everything to do with him: Bear.
I know it’s not his real name, but it suits him.
His huge, muscled stature and wide frame make him look a little bear-like.
He could wrap his arms around me and crush me like a grape.
Instead of that being something that should put me on edge, I feel the stirrings of desire low in my stomach.
It takes me a moment to recognise it, the slow burn making its way through me.
It’s been so long since I’ve felt anything close to arousal, and now I’ve met two men in two days who have awoken that sleeping part of me.
Hormones, that must be what it is. The two encounters have been so close together that there’s no other explanation.
It's perfectly normal for a woman to feel desire for two men at the same time. There’s nothing wrong with a healthy sexual relationship.
Imagining myself as the woman in question is where I have the problem.
I’d thought that Jake was my entire life, so I had never imagined myself with anyone else.
Our relationship is over, but I can’t rid myself of the feeling that I shouldn’t feel this way about other men.
Not that it’s men in general – only these two specific guys.
I think of Clay from the bar last night, with his intense stare, tattoos stark against his pale skin.
My mind switches, and I am suddenly imagining that Bear has my back pinned against his chest, his grip firm but not painful.
The owner of the bar steps closer so I’m pressed between the two of them, his hand raising to trail across my exposed collar bone, dragging it down my suddenly naked body.
I’m unable to move thanks to Bear’s hold.
All I can do is wait as that finger is dragged all the way down to the apex of my thighs…
My phone dings loudly from my back pocket, startling me out of my little daydream.
Am I that sex starved that I would have sex with two strangers at the same time?
Hmm. The immediate answer isn’t no, which should probably alarm me more than it does. Geez, I need to cool off before I go around propositioning strangers in town. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I throw it onto the bed and strip off, grabbing a towel and going to take a very, very cold shower.