Page 78 of Bad Blood Bear

“No, of course not. They’re in town having breakfast and hitting on the diner waitress. They said I should call them if you were stupid enough to still think you wanted to be alone.”

She dropped her eyes. “It’s not stupid, though. They don’t get how it was with you and Angie—that she was your one true mate. I know no one will ever replace her, but I claimed you even though you didn’t want me to, and I feel like you deserve for me to be there for you.”

She thought he didn’t want to be her mate.

Tank reached down and cupped her face in his hands, very gently, and looked down into those mesmerizing eyes that could be so soft, and yet so fierce.

“You listen to me, Lissa Ramsey,” he said. “A part of me will always love Angie. But I didn’t come here to try to find that again. I came to finally say goodbye to her, because you’re the woman I want to be with for the rest of my life. I love you with all my heart, Little Bear. I didn’t want to bring you here because I thought it would hurt you, seeing Angie’s and my place and what we had together.”

Lissa’s eyes filled with tears, and she threw her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. “You don’t mind that I claimed you?” she whispered.

He shook his head. “I’m honored that you claimed me, and I’m proud to be your mate. You feel that? That feeling like the sun came out inside you?” He put his hand on her chest.

She nodded. “I thought that was love.”

He smiled. “It’s more than love. It’s our bond. Do you have any idea how lucky I am, to get two true bonds in one lifetime?”

“Not as lucky as I am, Hulk Bear,” she said. “I love you too.”

Tank thought his heart would burst.

He pulled the house keys out of his pocket. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

She kissed him softly, then nodded. “Show me,” she said. “Tell me all about Angie, so I can hold her in my heart and honor her memory with you.”

Tank held her close so she wouldn’t see the tears.