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“Shh, don’t cry, doll face,” I say, rubbing her back.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she hiccups as she tries to gulp in air.
“I know you didn’t. It’s not your fault. Please don’t cry.”
“But when you were in the cab you said you told me you loved me. And I thought you meant you didn’t now,” she whispers and looks up to me with red-rimmed eyes.
“How could you ever think that?” I say, holding her face in both of my hands. “I said it because once I did, everything changed. Now you’re the most vulnerable part of my life. Anything can happen to me in that ring and it won’t matter. But you?” I say, tucking her hair behind her ear and wiping away her tears. “You are my world. And I have to do everything to protect that.”
“I love you, too,” she says, and I close my eyes, letting those words sink in.
“Say it again,” I order, and she bites her lip to hide her smile.
“I love you.”
“One more time,” I say, leaning closer so her lips are a breath from mine.
“I love you.”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing that,” I say right before our lips connect.
We make love slowly that night, and it’s the most intimate and beautiful thing we’ve ever shared. There are no more barriers between us, and nothing is left unsaid. I’ve fallen completely for the woman of my dreams.
Chapter Seventeen
Pepper
I stand in Bear’s locker room at the arena waiting for him to get back. He had to go do a few more things before the fight starts tonight. I bounce around on my feet, unsure of what to do with all the anxiety inside of me. I’ve been like this all day. Why did the fight have to be at night? The wait is killer. I’m ready for all of this to be over. I’m not looking forward to watching him fight, and I don’t care if he’s used to getting hit. I still don’t like the idea. I keep most of those thoughts to myself because I don’t want Bear worked up. If I’m upset he’s upset. So I’m trying to act relaxed and calm.
He been in beast mode for the past few days. I’m nervous, yet he’s pumped to get into the ring with Gio. I don’t even want to see Gio’s stupid face. I’ve never in my life not liked someone, but I do not like that man. I’m going get a little satisfaction at seeing Gio take a few hits. I still can’t believe what he tried to do to Bear. He used me as Bear’s weakness.
When the door opens I turn to see Bear standing there filling the entire space. His eyes are locked on me. I run towards him and jump into his arms. He holds me close and I breathe him in, wrapping my arms and legs around him tightly. This last fifteen minutes were the longest we’ve been apart since he came back home two nights ago. He wouldn’t let me out of his sight after that. I went everywhere with him and I haven’t complained one bit. I love him and won’t go anywhere without him because he makes me feel safe. I know I can be a little naïve at times, but Bear will protect me. I should’ve never questioned whether he’d come back to me that night, and I’ll never doubt him again.
I’m happy they canceled the press meeting for Bear and Gio. I’m a hundred percent sure a fight would have broken out, and the event and sponsors didn’t want that to happen. They wanted their fight night surrounded by people willing to pay to see it.
Bear kicks the door closed behind him and gives my ass a squeeze. “Miss me?”
“Always,” I tell him before he kisses me. I push at his chest when a wall hits my back. “Bear. You know Rico said no sex before the fight,” I remind him. He grunts, still pissed about that. “I’ll make it up to you,” I say as I trail my tongue along the seam of his lips. Then I wiggle for him to let me down.
All of Rico’s rules have been driving me nuts, but it’s almost over and I won’t do anything to mess up this fight for Bear. He’s trained and worked so hard for this. I want my man to go out on top.
He groans as he slowly slides my body down his. “You better put that away,” I tease him, eyeing the bulge in front of his shorts.
“We could take care of it,” he attempts, but I duck under his arm when he tries to grab me. I dart to the other side of the room as a squeal escapes me. “You know I’ll catch you,” he challenges.
