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  “Here’s a little love for you,” she murmured before placing the bear back on the shelf. “Someone will take you home soon.”

  “Do you do this often?” Max asked as he moved closer.

  The woman squeaked and jumped, throwing the stuffed panda she had just picked up at him. Max caught the stuffed animal easily and eased another step closer.

  “Oh, my. You startled me,” she said in a soft, melodic voice that reached into Max’s jeans and squeezed his balls.

  “I’m sorry,” Max found himself apologizing as he sidled even closer, wondering how big her comfort zone was. “I didn’t mean to scare you. But I am curious. Do you hug a lot of strange animals?” If so, how can I get one? he thought, but did not ask out loud.

  He was within an arm’s length before the woman shifted back a half step. Holding out the bear, he waited for her to take it from his hands.

  She looked at his chest as she reached out for the bear. Instead of releasing it to her, Max held on until she looked up at him. She was older than he’d first thought, but still cute enough that his cock began to show interest. Her dark-gold hair just brushed her shoulders, and was tucked behind her ears, showing off a pair of gold teddy bear earrings. Her eyes were a light green, reminding him of the celery Nonna grew in her garden each summer. Her fair skin was dusted with freckles, and as he continued to stare down at her, her cheeks began to pink up. She was short, but round and curvy, just the kind of woman he preferred.

  As he watched, her gaze dropped before she took a deep breath and raised her eyes to meet his again.

  “Answer the question, little one,” he encouraged gently.

  Her blink was slow, and then her head dropped forward as she tugged at the bear they still held between them.

  “They looked sad, so I thought I’d cheer them up a bit,” she answered softly.

  Max couldn’t help but chuckle at her explanation. “And are they happier once you’ve hugged them?”

  “I like to think so, though they all would prefer to find a human of their own to love and protect,” she answered, sounding so sure of herself that she was making a believer out of him.

  “And is this a job? To go into stores and hug the animals?” Max asked, his curiosity continuing to grow.

  The woman tugged harder on the panda, so he finally released the arm he held. She looked surprised as she pulled the panda in and hugged it. She whispered in its ear, then turned away. When she went to place it on the shelf, she froze and picked a piece of paper up from the shelf that the bear had been sitting on.

  Max watched her read the note, and was touched by the way tears filled her eyes. Once she finished reading, he pulled it from her fingers and read it himself.

  This is Spike. Spike is a good bear. A magic bear. She loves to wear her fairy princess dress and her leather jacket, but not at the same time. She is a fairy princess biker panda and will protect you from bad dreams while you sleep. Keep her safe and love her and she will love you back. If you ask nicely, she’ll even help you find love.

  When you are through with her, please find her another home. Thank you.

  Love, Susan

  Max watched as the woman hugged the black-and-white bear again. She stared across the store for nearly a minute before turning back to the shelf and searching until she found a small backpack. Slipping the bag’s straps over the bear’s arms, she glanced at Max again. Holding out her hand, she waited until Max folded the note and laid it on her palm.

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  Hugging the bear to her chest, she kissed the animal’s head before replacing him on the shelf and turning away. She blinked back tears as she picked up the basket that had been on the floor at her feet and started to walk away.

  “Hey, wait a minute,” Max ordered, not exactly sure what had just happened.

  The woman looked over her shoulder, staring at him with one eyebrow raised. “Yes?”

  Not quite sure what was driving him, he closed the distance, not stopping until he could wrap his arms around her upper arms to keep her from escaping again. “Are you married, engaged, or otherwise spoken for?”

  The woman swallowed hard as a sadness entered her gaze, which had dropped to study his chin. “Not at the moment. Why?”

  “Because,” Max said, bending close enough to brush a kiss on the woman’s lips.

  He had no idea what had come over him, except he wanted this woman. And not just because she hugged and gave pep talks to stuffed animals who had been abandoned in a thrift store. There was something fragile and innocent about her that was pulling at him, making him want to protect her, make her smile, make love to her, and more.

  Was this the instantaneous love Nonno, his grandfather, had talked about when telling Max and his five cousins the facts of life, love, and sex?

  Pulling back, Max studied the stunned woman before giving her a half-smile. “So, what are you doing for dinner tonight?”

  THE END

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