Reforming the Bear (12 page)

Chapter Twelve

Liam
didn’t think he’d ever be this happy ever again. Had he ever been this happy?

He
watched as Lucy reached up with the roller to cover the top part of the living
room wall. He’d chosen a light blue color, knowing it had been Danny’s favorite
hue. This was, after all, his former home. Yes he wanted the place to look
different so he didn’t get sad each time he stepped through the door, but at the
same time he wanted to honor his brother’s memory.

“So
what do you think?” asked Lucy, stepping away.

“Perfect
color … you’re an expert. You do this for all your clients?”

“Just
the ones I sleep with.” She winked at him. He walked over to her and slapped
her butt. “You’d better get cleaned up because we have to go to the rehearsal
in less than two hours. Right now you have paint on your face, and in your hair
too.”

He
pulled her in close. He was hard and wanted nothing more than to fuck her on
the living room floor.

Lucy
grabbed his butt and pinched. “Maybe we have time for a little fun. Paint fight
followed by toe-curling sex?”

“Um,
we’re running short on time. We could have sex while you shower.”

Liam
thought back to all his past relationships and sexual conquests. He’d never
done it in the shower before. Lucy would no doubt tell think he was joking but
as she grabbed his hand and began leading him out of the apartment and across
to his place, he realized she wanted it as much as he did. Lucy marched him
into the bathroom and closed the door.

“You
run the water and I’ll get undressed.”

He
decided to take off his pants before he did that because he was hard and
growing harder and getting the zipper past his dick could be a problem. By the
time he reached for the tap, Lucy was naked and brushing up against him. She
caught him off guard, sliding down his body and taking his cock into her mouth.

Jeez,
this had taken him by surprise.

She
held his hips, those sexy fingers of hers sinking into his skin, her tongue
flicking underneath his cock like she was enjoying an ice cream cone on a hot
summer’s day. He grew lightheaded as she took him into her mouth.

Wow,
he hadn’t expected this when he’d suggested sex in the shower. She moved her
lips slowly up and down his shaft, making him close his eyes and enjoying every
second of this treat. He held the shower curtain as she picked up her tempo. He
pulled on it, feeling his toes curl upward. He wanted to hold on, let her keep
going as long as she’d be willing to, but he was on the edge. Liam licked his
lips. Heard as the curtain began to pull away from the rings that held it in
place.

He
threw his head back, feeling his eyes change color and knew he had to find
release soon or there was a good chance he’d shift. He didn’t want Lucy finding
out about him, about them, this way. He made two fists, drove his feet firmly
into the tiled floor and found bliss.

By
the time he’d recovered and gotten himself together Lucy was in the shower, her
body shimmering with water, a condom wedged between two fingers. Lucky for her
shifters grew hard within mere minutes of ejaculation and he was ready for the
second round.

He
stepped into the bathtub with her. She reached down and sheathed him this time.

“That
was a nice warm-up just now,” he said. “I’ll have to return the favor soon.”

He
raised her up, rested her butt on the tiny shelf in the corner of the shower
and pushed her legs apart. Cream bubbled from her opening, a sight that almost
made him come again. He drove into her as she wrapped her arms around him. He
bit her neck, licked her collarbone as he took her hard and fast.

“You
fuck like no other,” she whispered in his ear. “I think you might be a keeper.”

He
thought she might be one too.

****

Lucy
wasn’t usually shy around new people but she sensed that everyone was looking
at her and probably wondering what she was to Liam and vice versa.

“And
you’ve already met Charlotte. And this is her husband Aiden,” said Liam.

Aiden
smiled and put out his hand to her.

“And
this must be your little girl?” said Lucy, looking at the cute little girl with
dark curls who sat in the baby carrier, kicking her feet against it.

“This
is Bridget,” said Charlotte. “Who can be smiley and happy one minute and
whining the next because she’s cutting her first tooth.”

“Hi,
sweetie,” said Lucy, stroking her leg.

Bridget
gave her a toothless grin, showing off the cutest dimples Lucy had ever seen.

“She
likes you,” said Aiden. “She’s only given a smile like that to Barney who’s my
brother’s dog, and her grandpa, who thinks she’s a princess.”

“Okay,
let’s run through the day’s events,” said Bear clapping his hands to get
everyone’s attention.

Lucy
took the cue to sit at the back and observe.

“I’ll
be here at the front with Ash,” said Bear.

A
young man that looked a lot like Bear waved his hand in the air. “And Aiden,
you and Christopher will act as the main ushers.”

“Is
it okay to seat people on either side of the aisle?” asked Christopher.

“Yes,
don’t worry about that too much as most people attending know both of us. Now,
Kaitlin honey, you will walk down here with your basket.”

Christopher
took a pretty little girl by the hand and gave her a pink basket filled with
pieces of paper they’d obviously torn up for her.

“Honey,
pretend the paper is the petals and throw it when you walk,” said Christopher’s
wife Lilly, who she’d been introduced to as soon as they’d arrived at the
rehearsal.

Kaitlin
threw her arms in the air and walked toward Bear.

Charlotte
didn’t have to be told what came next because she headed down behind Kaitlin.

“Sam,
you ready to walk with your mom?” said Bear.

Lucy
turned around to see Hannah holding onto Sam’s arm.

Liam
winked at him and then he offered his mother’s hand to Bear.

“I
need you to give her back after,” said Sam.

Liam
laughed.

“I
sure will,” said Bear.

“And
Liam, you’ll be reading your piece halfway through the ceremony and you’ll come
and stand here.”

Liam
got up and stood next to Charlotte.

“Okay,
are we all clear on what happens and who goes where?” asked Hannah.

“Crystal
clear,” said Liam. “And while Sam’s here and everyone’s gathered I’d like to
present him with this.”

Lucy
knew what it was. He’d spent the good part of the afternoon cleaning up the
medallion and mending the chain.
 
Tears
began forming in her eyes.

“Sam,
this belonged to your dad. He always wore it as his good luck charm and … well,
I found it when I went into his apartment.” Liam stopped and wiped his eyes. “I
know he’d want you to have it. I want you to have it and wear it at your
mother’s wedding and every day to keep you safe.”

Hannah
encouraged Sam to step toward Liam, who opened up the clasp and placed it
around his nephew’s neck.

“I
love you, buddy … and I’m so proud that you’re my nephew,” he said before
planting a kiss on Sam’s head.

Lucy’s
tears crept into her mouth but she didn’t wipe it away. No man’s kind actions
had ever reduced her to tears like this ever before. She’d been right. If he
wanted her then she’d never let this man go.

****

Liam
was speechless and had been since Lucy had emerged from the bedroom in the
dress she’d bought for the wedding. Just like a bride’s dress, she’d told him
he couldn’t see it before the actual day. It was worth the wait.
 
It was a blue floral print that showed off
all her curves. He’d always liked his girls on the bigger side. She’d tied her
hair up, showing the beautiful lines of her neck and shoulders. She’d just put
the dress on and spent hours getting ready but all he wanted to do was rip it
off, loosen the pins from her curls and fuck her over and over again. If he
hadn’t been picked to read at the wedding and if he didn’t need to be there for
Sam, to hell with the nuptials, he had all he wanted right here with Lucy.

The
saying was never to steal the show from the bride. All eyes had to be on her.
However, Hannah was about to have stiff competition on her hands. He for one
wouldn’t be watching the bride, but instead would be spellbound keeping watch
over Lucy.

“Just
about everyone I know gets married here at the Lodge these days. Christopher
and Lilly were the first. Melanie used to work here and she met Dane and they
got married here. Maisey and Lucas got married here last month too,” said Liam,
pulling into the parking lot.

“It
looks to be beautiful and the perfect day for an outside wedding. Not a cloud
in the sky,” said Lucy.

As
usual they had valet parking. Liam got out of the car and handed the keys over
to the young boy in charge for the day.

He
put his hand on the small of Lucy’s back and encouraged her to walk over to the
area where the chairs were set out. Half the seats were already filled. Aiden
waved to him as they got closer and offered his arm to Lucy.

“How
about I sit you next to Trent and Emily?” asked Aiden.

“Sounds
great –– they can keep Lucy company when I have to move down to the front row
later,” said Liam.

“Trent,
Emily, this is my friend, Lucy Hunt. Lucy, Trent and Emily Burgress.”

“Hi,
nice to meet you both,” said Lucy.

“Emily
is expecting triplets,” said Liam.

“Oh
wow,” said Lucy.

“Yep,
oh wow’s right,” said Trent.

“You
still planning on moving?” asked Liam.

“No,
we’ve decided to put an addition on the back of the house because we like the
neighborhood,” said Emily. “It’s a mess right now and this wedding is a welcome
break from the chaos and dust.”

“Hi,
hi, how’s everyone doing?”

Liam
turned to see Maisey and Lucas sitting down beside him.

“Maisey,
Lucas, this is Lucy. Lucy, two more of our group.”

“Hi,”
said Lucy. “Good to meet you.”

As
soon as they’d gotten the introductions out of the way Lilly sat down at the
end of the row cradling Bridget in her arms.

“Afternoon,
everyone,” she said putting the pacifier back in Bridget’s mouth. “I’m on
official aunt duty until the reception.”

“You
are so cute. Such a typical little bear,” said Maisey stroking her cheek.

Liam
coughed, hoping that Lucy didn’t hear the
bear
bit.

“Are
you coming to the yoga open house at Downward Facing Dog tomorrow?” Maisey
asked her.

“If
I can get Christopher to babysit Kaitlin, I can.”

“Maisey
owns a yoga studio with Nick who is sitting over there with his wife Ava.”

“You
want to come too?” Maisey asked Lucy.

She
looked at Liam who nodded to her. “I guess I will.”

“Great
… and how about you, Emily? I’ll be holding a prenatal class at three,” asked
Maisey.

“I
guess I’ll give it a try but my belly’s already getting in the way.”

“You’ll
be fine,” said Maisey. “Those three little bears will love the movement.”

Liam
coughed again and then saw Bear signal to him to head down the front, which
meant the ceremony would be starting soon. He just hoped Sam would be okay
walking his mom down the aisle.

“I’ll
see you at the reception,” he told Lucy.

“Sure
and good luck.”

Liam
stood and headed to the front, getting out his camera so he could snap a few
shots of Sam. His heart filled with pride just thinking about the
responsibility Danny’s son was undertaking today in front of such a large
gathering.

****

“That’s
my mom and dad playing the violin and cello,” Maisey told Lucy.

“Really?
I was thinking how great they were. Are they professional?” asked Lucy.

“Sort
of … they used to play with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra. And Dane Reynolds
is playing the piano. He met his wife Melanie at Christopher and Lilly’s
wedding. That’s her sitting in the second row over there with the cute little
bear with the sun hat on him. Oh, these little bears are soo-soo cute.”

Lucy
smiled. She’d never heard babies referred to as little bears before but she had
to admit there was something about them that did in fact remind her of a bear
too.

The
music the trio started to play switched to the bridal march. Bear and his
cousin moved to the center front and everyone stood and turned as Kaitlin began
walking and throwing petals everywhere but the ground.

“Honey,
throw them on the ground and not at people,” Lucy heard Lilly telling her as
she walked by.

Next
Charlotte dressed in a light pink dress and carrying pink roses followed her.
She pulled a face at Bridget, who cooed as she walked by.

Next
were Hannah and Sam. Hannah looked beautiful with her off-the-shoulder white
lace dress with its fishtail hemline.
 
And Sam…? Well, Lucy didn’t know him that well
but she knew what he meant to Liam and she began to tear up again just thinking
about it.

He
looked so handsome in his suit, with the shiny black shoes, and the way he held
onto his mother was priceless. Lucy spotted Liam stepping out into the aisle
and snapped some photos before stepping back. Sam walked his mother over to
Bear and gave him her hand.

“Remember
this is just a loan for the day. I still need Momma,” said Sam.

Lucy
smiled and a ripple of laughter spread through the crowd as everyone sat.

Bear
and Hannah looked so in love standing there facing one another as the judge
spoke about them starting a new life together.

“And
now we have a reading from Sam’s uncle, Liam Ahern,” announced the judge.

Liam
cleared his throat as he stepped up to the front and pulled out the sheet of
paper.
 
Even from this distance, Lucy saw
his hands shaking, and she suddenly felt nervous for him.

“Love
is what we all strive for…”

Lucy
listened to the words about the special moment when you know the person you’re
with is the one you will spend the rest of your life with.

“It’s
forgiving, it’s about not having secrets…”

He
looked down at Lucy at that very minute. Did he know that she’d spun some lies?
The reason she was in town, her not being an interior designer, her heading
home one day soon but yet still let the two of them get physically involved …
and now the relationship had moved into second gear.

Liam
continued reading and she looked down at her feet.

Why
was life so complicated?