“What the hell?” Bear looked down at Aasia, questioning what just happened.
She blew out a long breath, hesitating before she said, “Before I got fired, I’d noticed some discrepancies in the financial reports. When I started suspecting something I did some investigating. I discovered that Deacon Clark isn’t his real name. It’s Mike Burt. He’s served prison time for insurance fraud.”
Bear clenched his jaw. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She blinked. “I-I don’t know.” She sniffed loudly. “I don’t know who I can trust.” Her shoulders shook like she was doing her best to hold back tears.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I know I’m a man of mystery, but I can promise you that I’m here for you. Never question that.”
Her chin tilted and her gaze searched his face. “I’ve never been surer of anything. I’m grateful to have you here. You give me strength.”
“Have you socialized long enough? Can we get the hell out of here?” He was hopeful.
“Sure. Let’s leave this place in the dust.” She winked.
Chapter Eighteen
As they were leaving the gala, they spotted Bentley. Bear heard Aasia growl.
“Can you believe the nerve of him?” she said as they stepped into the cooler evening air.
“Yeah, I can.” Bear jutted his chin. “He enjoys irritating you and you allow him to do it.”
“What an ass,” she hissed.
“How about we do not make this a spitting contest.” He wiped his hand down his face.
She snorted then stomped ahead of him. “At this point I think we should never mention his name again.”
“I can’t agree more.”
She stopped and slipped off her shoes. “I’m over there.” She pointed.
“I’ll walk you to your car.” He pressed his fingers into the small of her back, wanting to have physical contact with her.
When they reached the driver’s door, she looked up at him. “Here I am.”
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m sorry I get all twisted when I see Bentley. I’m over him. I truly am.”
“We’re not talking about him anymore. Remember?”
“He just makes me so damn irritated remembering our last conversation.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” He wanted to help.
” Do you mean that, Ben?”
The sound of his name on her beautiful lips made his body tighten. “More than you’ll ever know.”
She grabbed his jacket into her fists and pushed him against the car. Their gazes locked a second before she kissed him. Bear wrapped his arms around her and dragged her closer, deepening the kiss.
Within seconds they were both breathless, clutching each other. He swallowed her moan, feeling his pants fit tighter. Her hips brushed over his hard body sending a current through his body.
He swiftly turned her and backed her against the car, pressing her between the hard cool metal and his solid warm body. The lines of their bodies matching.
He lifted his mouth and scanned her beautiful features caught in the dim lighting. She stared up at him, her swollen lips slightly parted. He needed to get her out of there before he took her right there. “Come with me.” He waited a half second for any rejection, but it didn’t come. He grabbed her hand and they made their way to his truck. Reaching for the handle of the passenger door, he opened it. “Get in.”
