HIS BABY TO BEAR - SEVENTEEN

C H A P T E R S E V E N T E E N

Libby raised her brows and gave Jerome an expectant look. She needed to bargain with her estranged werebear babydaddy. She got a migraine just thinking about that line.

"I'm listening," she said, taking a break from making more hot water for tea.

Her chamomile tea was definitely cold by this point, and she needed something to do with her hands to keep herself from wrapping her arms around Jerome's neck and kissing him senselessly. He did something to her, and damn if it wasn't difficult to ignore the fact that he was the best she'd ever had. It wasn't even just lust.

She desired all of him. Every time. There was no other explanation for her long absence from the dating scene than the realization that no one could compare to Jerome. Jerome gave her a wet look from beneath his thick lashes, and she despised the fact that even that made her wet.

Libby, you're supposed to be calm and collected in this situation! Stop picturing him naked!

It's a lot easier said than done.

"I understand why you don't feel at ease having me around Reid Andrew. I understand your concern. My job is in jeopardy. You don't know who I am. You don't know my family, and they're not really in the picture anymore. We had one night together that might have left you with a bad taste in your mouth.

"But, honey, I want you to know how much I treasured that night. Not only because of Reid Andrew, but also because I was with you at the time. You've been with me ever since, and I don't think I'll ever get over that memory."

He leaned against the windowsill, clearing his throat. His back was so wide that it blocked out a lot of light, casting a large shadow in front of him. Jerome had a James Dean look about him as he stood there, his eyes pleading with her to understand him. To give him a shot.

To give him a shot.

"I can talk to you or at you until both of us are blue in the face. But what I mean is that I need you to give me a chance. I want to do the right thing for him and for you. I messed up with you once, but I will never do it again. I want to be a part of Reid Andrew's life. I'll abide by every rule you impose on me. That's something I'm good at. And I'll do my fucking best to return every time. For him," he explained.

She also heard him say "for you" somewhere in there. There was more wishful thinking. When the kettle whistled, Libby reached for a mug, but her hand shook so violently that it slipped from her grasp. Jerome caught it before it hit the ground, flipped it around in his hand, and lifted it up in front of her. He was so close that there didn't appear to be enough space between them. He took her breath away, as he always did.

"What do you think?"

" he asked softly as Libby took the mug in her hands.

What else can I say? No, I'm the cold-hearted woman who won't let you see your son because you might die? I can't be near you because every time I look at you, I either want to fuck you or have flashbacks to that night.

"I'm not sure, Jerome," she said solemnly, looking up at him.

Her eyes were glistening with tears now, and he wiped away one that was trying to fall down her cheekbone.

"What can I do to persuade you?" he asked bluntly, his blue eyes scanning her as if she were a mission he needed to finish.

She guessed she was, in a way. Perhaps she was naive to believe he was there for more than just the baby, but she felt incredibly close to him whenever he was around. Yes, physically, but also mentally. He seemed to be the man with whom she could finally open up and share her life and dreams. All of the things she'd put on hold after Manila. Is there a chance for her to start over, not just physically but also emotionally? Are you ready to put your trust in someone new?

She felt ridiculous for considering the man who had become the epitome of her horrific night in Manila as a possible new beginning.

"To be honest, I'd like to know that as well. But I don't think so. We're talking about my baby here. I can't have anything in his life that will make it harder for him. And I'm afraid, as much as I'd like to trust you, as much as I want Reid Andrew to have a relationship with his father."

There was that word she despised so much. Fear. The thing that had had far too much power over her life for far too long. Jerome suddenly wrapped his arms around her and drew her in, cuddling her close. She exclaimed, her body stiffening for a brief moment. But when he cradled her against him in her kitchen, one hand on the small of her back and the other on her neck, she gradually relaxed. He had a wonderful scent. His arms felt like angels wrapped around her.

Libby allowed herself to enjoy that moment.

"Honey, I'll be right there. I swear to you. You do not need to be afraid. It will take time, which I am fine with, but I will make you trust me. I'll tell you everything there is to know about me, and then you can decide, okay? What do you think? You give me a chance, and if you're not happy, if you're not convinced, then we can stop this and I'll step aside," he said, his voice breaking.

"I'll stay out of your way until he's old enough to make his own choices. I don't want that, but if it has to be that way, I'll live with it. Just give me a chance first."

She thought about it and let it sink in. She was capable of so much, wasn't she? A part of her was desperate to find out what this meant. Would it imply more time in his arms? Would that entail sleeping next to him? Fucking him senseless whenever she felt like it? Libby bit her lower lip, letting go of all her wishful fantasies. It was pointless to get ahead of herself.

Libby spoke up after a far too long silence in which he didn't move an inch toward letting go of her. "Only one chance."

"That's all I need," Jerome said, his voice brimming with excitement.

"All right," she said sternly, but the corners of her mouth quirked up as she saw how excited he became when she said that one simple word.

The next thing she knew, she was being hoisted up and spun around the kitchen, threatening to knock everything off the counters with her legs.

"You won't be sorry, honey! " he yelled.

"Jerome! " she exclaimed. "Put me down! "

When her feet touched the floor again, he flexed his muscles and drew her closer to him. The exuberance faded as quickly as it had arrived, replaced by a tension that struck Libby right in the gut. She became acutely aware of the curve of his lips and the way they were slightly parted. How he lowered his head to meet her gaze, and how his stunning blue eyes were hidden beneath those thick lashes.

Her hand rested against his chest, the other still gripping the damned cup, with a sudden burst of eagerness and impulsiveness. Reid Andrew burst into the room as he slowly leaned into her, and just as they were about to kiss, with only millimeters between them. As he almost ran into Jerome's leg, he held the teddy bear in front of himself, making a cute roaring noise.

Libby jumped away from Jerome, who smirked at her, making her smile sheepishly. Her cheeks were flushed once more, revealing her identity. There's no getting away from that man.

"What have you got there, baby?"

Libby inquired as she took Reid Andrew's hand in hers, and he offered her the teddy.

He was already gaining weight. The benefits of having a werebear cub running around the house. He sprouted like a weed and seemed to grow stronger by the minute.

"Bear!" he declared proudly, beaming with self-satisfaction.

He even had the makings of his father's bad boy smirk, which he wore like a badge of honor. Jerome laughed, kissing him on the cheek and reluctantly releasing his hand from Libby's small of her back. She missed his touch as soon as he removed his hand.

"OK, fine. Let me tell you something. Make no plans for dinner. I'll be back in about an hour to take you both out."

He said it so confidently that Libby had no room to argue. Jerome winked at her and snatched the cup from her grasp, placing it safely on the counter.

"So you don't drop it again while I'm not here to catch you," Jerome said as he walked out of the kitchen with long, deliberate strides.

"See you then," she said to his retreating back, mentally chastising herself for sounding so goddamn excited.

But, on the other hand, there was no shame in that, was there? She genuinely wanted things to work out, and for Jerome to put her mind at ease that she wouldn't be hanging by the phone, terrified that he'd been shot dead in some nameless desert and would never return to see Reid Andrew again.

You're doing it for your child. She told herself that she was giving him the opportunity to meet his father.

However, a large part of her was convinced that she was doing it for herself as well. At the very least, a little. Reid Andrew was not the only one who was curious about Jerome Nicolas.