He’s become my protector too. More than he knows. Since I’ve come to stay with him, I don’t watch over my shoulder anymore or think someone from my old life might find me and make their way into the house. I know there’s no way in hell that Bear would allow that to happen.
I peek open the door and look down the hallway. Seeing the coast is clear, I head for Paige’s door, giving it a soft knock. She doesn’t ask who it is. She knows from the knock alone. I wait for her to let me in. A few seconds later, the door creaks open. Her little face pokes out. Her eyes look a bit puffy from crying.
“Can I come in, sweetheart?” I ask her. She nods, stepping back to open the door more. She shuts it behind me. The second it closes, she throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around me.
“Please don’t leave us.” She clings to me.
I drop down to my knees, pulling her into my arms. “I’m not going to leave you.”
“I’ve never had a mommy before. Ever. You make the best mommy.” I close my eyes, hugging her while trying not to cry. There have been too many tears in this home.
“I’d love to be your mommy. Anyone would be lucky to be yours.”
“So you’ll do it?” She lifts her head.
“Do what?”
“Bear. You’re going to marry him? Then you have to stay together.” She heard that part. Her big blue eyes are wide, waiting for me to answer her. I’d pushed his crazy idea to the back of my mind because there were so many other things I needed to digest at that moment.
“You want me to marry Bear?” She nods her head.
“It’s not that easy.”
“I know. There is a short waiting period.” She releases me from the hug to run over and grab her phone. “You have to wait three days after you get your marriage license.” She holds up three fingers. Those big eyes stay trained on me while she waits for an answer.
“Okay.”
“Yes!” She squeals, running back to give me another hug.
What did I just do? I can’t marry Bear. For one, he doesn't love me. He more wants a mom to come in and help with Paige. I’m sure he only made the freaking suggestion because he was in a panic seeing how sad and freaked out Paige was.
“Let’s get you into bed. You should be asleep.” I grunt, lifting her off her feet to carry her over to her bed to lie down.
“This is going to be the best.” She snuggles into me.
“Are you doing better?” Bear asks from the doorway. Paige sits back up, nodding her head.
“I’m not mad anymore. You guys will get married and then we’ll be a family,” Paige informs him. He walks over, pulling her into a hug before he settles into the bed on the other side with Paige between us.
“I like this idea,” he agrees with her. I glare at him from behind Paige. He only smirks back. My traitorous body heats in response.
“I could be a flower girl. I’ve never been a flower girl,” Paige says. It’s followed by a yawn.
“You’d make a cute flower girl,” Bear agrees with her. I wish I could reach over and slap him.
We can’t get married. He’s lost his mind. Not only does the man not love me, but he really has no idea who I am.
Chapter Seventeen
Bear
“Do you want a big wedding or a small one? I don’t really care. Small one means we could do it”—I glance at Honey to confirm—“three days, right?”
She gives a small nod. My eyes drop to her mouth. Fuck, I want to kiss her right now, but I need to focus.
“Three days.” Shannon writes something in her notebook.
I smile triumphantly. Three days is great. “I’ve got a fight in a week so we can apply today, get married, and then I’ll go to the match.” I love it when a good plan falls together. Last night seemed like it was all going to be a disaster, but the marriage thing solved every problem. Paige was happy, and Honey’s hooked up with me for life. “You two can get your heads together and do all the wedding stuff. Just tell me to show up when and where. Spend as much as you want. Shannon has my card. Shannon, set up Honey with her own card and account. I’m off to the gym.” My only option right now. What I really want to do is drag Honey back to the bedroom, but I know that’s not an option right this second. I was rough with her. I know she’ll need time. It’s best I keep my hands off her. All my plans go out the window when I touch her.
“Roger that.” Shannon gives me a salute and leaves to start making arrangements. It’s when I get to my feet that I notice Honey hasn’t said a word since Paige left for school.