Page 97 of Just for Tonight

“It’s you.”

“Me?”

“Or maybe it’s bears.”

I wait. I’m not sure where he’s going with this.

He turns to face me, not any happier than before. This time, though, he looks me in the eye. “Does that happen a lot?”

“What?”

“That you need a bear.”

I know he’s referring to the client. “Once in a while. All women deal with it.” I try to shrug it off but Jake isn’t having any of that.

“But what if there isn’t a bear in the vicinity?”

“I deal with it as best I can.”

He lifts a brow.

“I took self-defence classes.”

His eyes narrow as he leans back against the counter, his gaze locked on me. He is unhappy with this reply, but then, I’m often unhappy with the situation myself. It’s life in our world. I’m less happy with the prospect of lifelong celibacy.

Jake spins a finger. “And what about the night we met, the first one, at that function. Do you do that a lot?”

Now I’m the one fixing him with a glare. “Are you going to suggest that I should be celibate forever, or until I marry, whichever comes first?”

“Not me.” His eyes widen in mock horror. “I’m smarter than that.”

“There’s a relief.”

He leans toward me. “But the thing is, there are jerks everywhere and some of them present well. Not all of them appear to be predators, at least early on.”

“True.”

“I have absolutely no right to say this and I know it, but I wish you wouldn’t do it again.”

I lift a brow, daring him to say what I think he’s going to say.

Jake shakes his head. “No. I’m not telling you what to do and I’m not judging you. I think sex is natural and good, and I think everyone should get as much of it as they want. That might make the world a better place, actually.”

“It might.”

“I just wish you’d call me instead of choosing a stranger.” He lifts his hands. “I want to know you’re safe.”

And just like that, I’m all warm inside. I like that he feels protective of me, and I wouldn’t mind doing what he’s asking. I also like that he’s trying to defend my autonomy while he makes the offer. I don’t think he’s thought this through, though, because a deal like this sounds a lot like a thing. I tease him instead. “You’d be my bear on demand?”

“Yeah. I could do that.” He lifts his hands like claws and growls fiercely. “I kinda like the idea of being a bear on demand, actually.”

“Is this a service you provide for many women?”

“No!” He looks insulted. “It would be just for you. If you want.”

In that instant, I see that he realizes the magnitude of what he’s admitted. His eyes widen a little and he starts to turn away. I know he’s going to block me out fast, so I make a move.

I catch his elbow, keeping him from turning his back on me, and lean against him. “But being someone’s bear on demand would mean that you had a thing with that person.” I see the flicker in his eyes before he hides it away. I keep my tone light. “And I have it on very good authority that you and I do not have a thing.”