Free Detective Bear (Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance) (Bear Patrol Book 2) by Scarlett Grove Page B

and were shopping for more.
    This was exactly what she needed to see right now. She wanted to be beautiful and fabulous just like these women on TV, and Gauge was going to help her.
    Gauge came back into the living room with a tray of sandwiches and more iced tea that he sat on the coffee table in front of Lola. He sat down beside her and they shared a meal, watching reality TV. Gauge didn't complain once, but gasped and laughed and talked to the TV at the same time that she did.
    They spent several hours together just hanging out on the couch doing nothing and it was probably the most fun Lola had had in as long as she could remember. If just one day of hanging out at home with Gauge was this enjoyable, she couldn't even imagine what the rest of her life would be like.
    After Gauge made a dinner of big New York steaks, baked potatoes, and green beans with garlic, they went upstairs and she took a shower before they got in bed and snuggled together.
    Gauge didn't pressure her into anything sexual. She was still sore from being beaten up and still unsure of herself as a woman after leaving the compound. She just wasn't ready. Losing her virginity was a big step that she was still a little nervous about.
    All Gauge did was hold her close and sleep beside her, offering her his strength and the comfort of his embrace. She slept more soundly and securely than she had since her mother died and in the morning she woke up feeling absolutely refreshed.
    When she went to the bathroom to look in the mirror, her black eye had already begun to fade. When Gauge got up, Lola walked back into the bedroom and smiled at him.
    "Yesterday was the best day of my life," she said.
    "If sitting around watching reality TV was the best day of your life, today's gonna blow your mind," he said. "Just hang out here and I'll be back with some pastries and some fabulous coffee."
    "How can I say no to that?" she giggled.
    Gauge took a quick shower and got dressed and was out the door in no time flat. Lola took a leisurely bath in his big jetted tub. By the time she was done with her soak, Gauge had already arrived downstairs. She rose out of the bath, wrapped his fluffy bathrobe around her shoulders, and tied it at the waist. Downstairs, she found something she had not expected.
    There was a gorgeous pink printed dress hanging over the door with a pair of ballerina flats that were so absolutely adorable that she gave out a little shriek when she saw them. She hadn't worn anything so beautiful and feminine in years.
    "Where did you get this?" she asked.
    "I got it from Rollo's mate Zoe," Gauge said. “She also threw in some new underthings and makeup.”
    Lola slowly walked across the room and took the dress off the doorframe. She held it up in front of her, marveling at the delicacy of the design and the smooth silky fabric.
    "I have to put this on right now!" she said with a giggle.
    Lola gathered up all of her things and trotted back upstairs, a huge grin plastered on her face. She slid into the dress and ballet flats, then did her hair and makeup. When she looked at herself in the long mirror, she could barely recognize her reflection.
    One day of nutrition through an IV and another day of eating steak and sandwiches with Gauge had put a little softness into her curves. She walked back down the stairs, feeling a lightness to her step.
    When Gauge looked up at her in the dress, his mouth dropped open. He took a step back, grasping his heart.
    "You were already more beautiful than words, but you look amazing in that dress."
    "Thank you," she said shyly. "Thank you for getting this for me."
    He handed her a coffee and invited her to sit at the dining room table beside the sliding doors that looked out on his backyard. They shared pastries and coffee and chatted about what they would do in Portland. Lola was feeling so spoiled that she imagined that this is what a princess must feel like.
    Suddenly she had a man who adored her, she was in a beautiful home,