Emma shook her head. “The townspeople never said a word,” she muttered in amazement. “Word that a rich and famous person was living in their midst would have spread like wildfire in any other town...”
“The residents of Shadow Point are considerate and discreet. They look out for one another, and they respect one another’s space and privacy,” Rocco said. “I’ve lived in various cities before, and I’ll say that Shadow Point is truly a very special town. There’s a sense of unity and belonging.” He gave a lopsided smile. “In fact, this is the only place that truly feels like home.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Emma gasped when Rocco grabbed the sketch pad that was lying on the table and said, “Don’t move.”
“What?”
“This is so perfect. Just stand right there, Emma. Yes, thank you...”
He sat down on a stool and his pencil began to fly across his sketch pad. “Just give me a few minutes,” he murmured.
Emma stood by the window and watched him. She knew that he was doing a drawing of her, and she self-consciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She felt shy, awkward and deeply flattered. Quite frankly, she didn’t know what to think at all. This was all kind of surreal.
She was no beauty. She didn’t have the looks of a supermodel. She was just a plain, ordinary woman with mousy brown hair and sad, tired eyes. Why would the famous and talented Roc Jones want to do a sketch of her, of all people?
A pensive smile played on her lips as she studied Rocco. Rocco’s brows furrowed in concentration as he worked. She’d always thought that Roc Jones was a smug, arrogant, eccentric artist who had the habit of cutting his interviews short and disliked having his photo taken. There were very few photographs of Roc Jones, and they were always blurry and taken from a distance.
Now she realized that Rocco was just a private, unpretentious, down-to-earth man. He loved his art, but he didn’t like being a part of the media circus.
Shadow Point was the perfect place for him. His neighbors clearly knew who he was, yet they protected his privacy. He wasn’t given any special treatment by the Shadow Point residents. Rich or poor, human or paranormal, everyone was treated equally and fairly in Shadow Point.
As Emma gazed out the window, she realized that for the first time, she could breathe easily again. She could feel herself coming alive. The walls that she had built around her heart were breaking down, and she felt both relieved and liberated.
She wasn’t a recluse by nature. She loved life, and she wanted to live fully. She wanted to trust and love again, and she wanted to have true, meaningful friendships and relationships.
Rocco, Gramma and Ne-ma had shown her that there were wonderful people all around her. They weren’t afraid to stand up and do the right thing, even if it meant putting themselves in great danger.
When Rocco looked up at her and smiled, the room seemed to recede from her. No one had ever looked at her like that before. She saw the admiration, love and pride in his eyes. Rocco liked her for who she was. He wasn’t out to deceive, exploit or use her in any way.
I could stay here forever...
The realization that she wanted to stay here, with Rocco, confused, shocked and excited her. She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay with Rocco and Caden...
Emma blinked and shook her head to clear it when Rocco put down his pencil. He stood up and strode to her.
Handed her the drawing, he said, “For you, Emma.”
Emma stared at the woman in the drawing. The woman’s eyes were sparkling with light and happiness and her lips were curved in a dreamy smile.
The picture showed a young woman who was looking forward to the future with courage, determination and excitement. She was so full of life and joy.
“This can’t be me...” she whispered at last.
“This is you, Emma,” Rocco said, smiling.
“But...she’s so beautiful...”
Rocco curled a finger under her chin and tilted her face up to him.
“You are beautiful,” he whispered. “How can you not see just how beautiful you are?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
On impulse, Emma leaned forward and kissed Rocco on the cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
An instant later, Rocco’s mouth landed hungrily on hers. The drawing fluttered to the ground as Emma clung to his powerful shoulders and kissed him back ardently.
Their kisses grew more intense and heated, and all rational thought fled from Emma’s head. All she knew was that she wanted more...
They moved out of the room, and Rocco kept walking her backwards. He never stopped kissing and touching her, and Emma could feel her desire spiraling out of control.
When they reached the door of Rocco’s bedroom, he took a ragged breath and pressed his forehead to hers.
“Emma,” he breathed. “If you don’t want this, tell me to stop. You have to tell me now.”
She stared into his burning blue eyes and saw his fierce hunger and want. She saw how much he wanted her, and she felt her heart swelling with pride and joy.
Tears pricked her eyes suddenly. She no longer felt unwanted, unimportant and unloved. Rocco wanted her, and she wanted him right back.
Cupping his handsome face with one hand, Emma raised herself up on her toes and kissed him.
She knew what she wanted, and she was no longer afraid to go after what she wanted. She wasn’t going to hold back.
She would live life bravely and passionately from now on.
“I want you, Rocco,” she whispered against his lips.
Rocco’s eyes blazed with raw, primal desire and hunger. He growled and kissed her fervently. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other as they entered his bedroom and tumbled onto the king-sized bed.
They undressed each other eagerly, almost desperately. Emma ran her hands down Rocco’s muscular body, feeling his muscles bulge and pulse under her fingertips.
She felt the ache in her core intensifying. She had never wanted any man with such intense, desperate hunger before.
Her own burning, consuming lust scared and thrilled her. But she was determined to take what she wanted. She had denied herself long enough.
“Take me,” she panted. “Take me now.”
She wanted to feel Rocco’s hard, powerful body against hers. She wanted to feel him pressing down on her, pushing deep into her.
She wanted more of him, all of him.
She wanted him to be hers, and she wanted to belong to him.
Make me yours, her body and mind begged.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Rocco fought to control his raging lust as he ran his hands down Emma’s soft, curvy body. He wanted to feel and enjoy every luscious inch of her.
He never wanted to stop kissing and touching her, ever. Her body felt so soft, warm and perfect against his.
She looked absolutely beautiful and sexy, spread out on his bed. Her brown wavy hair fanned out around her face, and her full lips were swollen from his kisses. She gazed up at him with love and trust in her eyes, and Rocco knew in his heart that he would never be able to deny her anything.
She already owned him.
Kissing down her undulating body, he pushed her legs apart and licked greedily at her wet, hot pussy. Her clit peeked out from between her folds, and he took the engorged nub in his mouth and sucked hard.
Emma cried out in pleasure, and more sweet, sticky honey squirted from her pussy onto his tongue. Rocco lapped at her feminine juices, and the taste of her drove him wild.
His bear roared in his head. His claws stabbed out as he grabbed her hips.
His bear recognized Emma as his mate from her unique, intoxicating scent and taste. It was undeniable.
She. Was. His.
His one true, fated mate.
With a possessive growl, Rocco flipped Emma onto her belly and pulled her hips up. His bear was going berserk. He had to claim his mate now before the beast tore out of him in rage and frus
tration.
He needed to take her. Right now.
Rocco nudged the head of his rock hard cock into her slit and Emma gasped when he stretched her walls.
“You’re so tight,” Rocco groaned. “So wet.”
He inched deeper into her, sliding his cock into her hot, sexy body.
Emma whimpered and rocked back on her knees. She was eager to take more of him into her body.
Rocco growled her name, and grabbed her buttocks. Emma cried out when he thrust into her and buried himself completely inside her feminine heat.
The sensation of their bodies joining together as one was so intense. His bear roared in agony in his head. The beast was mad with lust and hunger.
Rocco could no longer wrestle his maddened bear down. He let his animal lust take over and began to pound into Emma.
He fucked her hard and fast, and Emma cried out in ecstasy as her channel rippled and pulsed.
Her sticky juices were running down the inside of her thigh as he pistoned in and out of her.
She was impossibly wet for him, and she felt so amazing, so perfect.
Rocco knew his eyes were glowing with raw, feral heat. The scent of their mating filled the air, and his fangs stabbed out.
His bear was just beneath the surface of his skin, pushing forcefully and relentlessly against his human shields.
Claim her, his bear snarled. Claim our mate!
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Emma gasped as Rocco increased his pace and rhythm. Her muscles spasmed and contracted as he thrust in and out of her. She shivered with sheer ecstasy, feeling every nerve in her body tingle.
Rocco slammed into her again and again, burying his cock completely inside her before pulling all the way out and thrusting hard and deep into her again.
Emma dug her nails into the mattress and closed her eyes.
She loved it.
She loved the raw intensity of their lovemaking.
She loved how he teased and touched her, and how he knew exactly what she wanted. Rocco owned and mastered her body, making her body sing with pleasure.
Emma fisted the sheets as she came, and Rocco took her furiously, fucking her through her orgasm.
Sparks and stars flashed behind her eyelids. She had never felt such intense, explosive pleasure before.
As her shudders subsided, Rocco withdrew from her and pushed her onto her back.
She immediately spread her legs for him, wanting to feel him inside her again. Emma felt herself growing wet as her core ached and throbbed for Rocco.
She needed him.
“Please...” she begged. “Fuck me...”
Rocco thrust into her and she came at once. As she arched her back, he pulled her hard, erect nipple into his mouth and suckled her furiously.
Emma panted as he nibbled and tongued her sensitive peaks. She couldn’t think of anything else except how good it felt to have his hands and mouth on her.
Rocco slid his cock languidly in and out of her body as he teased and tormented her with his teeth and tongue. When he rolled her puckered nipple between his teeth, incoherent pleas tumbled from her lips.
She was nothing but a quivering mass of nerves beneath him. Rocco took her harder, and Emma felt herself cresting dangerously close to another climax.
“Don’t stop,” she whimpered, digging her nails into his biceps. “Don’t stop, Rocco...”
“Emma,” Rocco growled. “My mate.”
Emma bucked off the mattress as another mind-blowing, toe-curling orgasm crashed through her. She screamed as Rocco bit into her shoulder.
She could feel his seed shooting deep into her body, and her pussy pulsed rhythmically, squeezing his cock to take every drop of his hot seed into her.
Their bodies remained joined for a long time. They seemed to fit together so perfectly.
It just felt so good and so right to be with Rocco.
Rocco held her in his arms and kissed her lovingly.
“Mine,” he whispered. “You are my mate, Emma.”
Emma blinked at him. “Mate...” The fog gradually cleared from her brain and she took a deep breath. “I’m your mate?”
“Yes.”
She exhaled slowly, trying to order her thoughts.
“I’ve heard that when shifters claim a mate, it’s forever,” she managed at last.
“Yes. You are my forever mate,” Rocco said. “I will love, cherish and protect you forever, Emma. I love you. My feelings for you are true, and I will always be true to you. I will never lie to you, Emma.”
Emma looked searchingly into Rocco’s eyes. He didn’t hide his feelings from her, and she saw the truth in his eyes. She was his world, his strength and his weakness.
It didn’t matter that she had only just met Rocco. Her feelings for him were powerful and undeniable. He was the only man she wanted for the rest of her life. He was everything she wanted in a mate. The bond between them was strong and true, and she realized that she had also witnessed the same strong bond form almost instantaneously between Rocco and Caden.
She didn’t quite understand how shifters could form such a powerful bond so quickly, but it was amazing and beautiful. They were unafraid to love, and they fought boldly for those they loved.
The humans she had grown up with were so much more cunning and complicated compared to shifters.
Their love was fake and conditional. Everyone wore a mask, and hid their true intentions and feelings from one another. In reality, underneath their veneer of congeniality, these humans were the true predators.
It was sad and pathetic.
But it also made Emma appreciate what she had now.
She had seen how Gramma and Ne-ma had fearlessly jumped into the fray even though they were no match for a murderous Alpha lion.
She had seen how Rocco had taken Caden under his wing and given him a home without hesitation.
These people were real. They were brave and true. She had true friends in this town. And she had met her true mate. Someone who loved her without reservation, without condition.
Emma gazed at Rocco and her eyes blurred with tears suddenly. This was where she belonged. With Rocco.
He was her mate, her future.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Emma flung her arm out and felt the cool satin sheets. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was alone in bed. She sat up and looked around. Where was Rocco?
This was his bedroom and she could smell his scent all over her. She touched the throbbing spot at the side of her neck and smiled when she remembered that she was wearing his mate mark.
She dressed quickly and padded to the bathroom. After she washed up, she opened the bedroom door and peeked out. She could hear voices and laughter coming from the kitchen downstairs.
Curious, Emma made her way downstairs and saw two tall, brawny men sitting at the kitchen table with Rocco and Caden. The men stood up when they saw Emma. Only Caden remained seated at the table.
Rocco went to her and took her hand. He gestured at his two guests. “Emma, meet Axel and Tyrell. They’re my neighbors. They live in the last two houses down the street.”
Axel and Tyrell shook Emma’s hand warmly and smiled. “We’re pleased to meet you, Emma,” Axel drawled. “Sorry to drop in unannounced.”
“And uninvited,” Rocco interjected. Emma glanced at Rocco and saw the good-natured grin on his face.
Axel and Tyrell chuckled.
“We usually drop in to check on Rocco at least once a week just to make sure he’s still alive,” Tyrell joked. “He’s such a recluse. He just stays in his studio all day with his paints and brushes.”
Emma saw the familial resemblance between the two dark-haired men and guessed that they were brothers.
Tyrell’s eyes widened suddenly as his gaze dropped from Emma’s face to her neck. “You...you’re Rocco’s mate?” he spluttered. “We never knew he had a mate! We thought he was a bachelor, like the rest of us here on Bachelo
r Belt!”
Emma blushed as Rocco curled his arm possessively around her waist.
Axel slapped Rocco on the back and said, “You’re a sly one. You never told us you were mated, man! Why did you keep her a secret?”
Rocco shook his head and laughed. “She’s not a secret. I just found my mate. Fate brought Emma and Caden into my life,” he said, ruffling Caden’s blond hair affectionately.
The boy was sitting in his chair, quietly eating his breakfast. He put down his fork and looked up at the adults, not sure what to do. Everyone was just standing around and talking, and Caden clearly felt uncomfortable to be the only one eating.
“Eat more, son,” Rocco urged. “A growing lion needs lots of fuel.”
Caden smiled shyly at Rocco and Emma. Rocco led Emma to the table and pulled out a chair for her beside Caden. Caden looked relieved and pleased to have Emma sitting beside him.
“All right. We’d better get going now,” Axel said. “You guys enjoy your breakfast!” He winked at Caden.
The two brothers stretched out their hands to Caden and the boy immediately high-fived them with great enthusiasm. Emma was glad to see that Caden had made two new friends.
Shaking Emma’s hand again, Tyrell said gallantly, “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Emma.”
As Rocco walked Axel and Tyrell to the door, Emma heard Axel say in a low voice, “Just call us if you need any help, Rocco. Hector has the whole Kingston Pride behind him. You’re doing the right thing, but you don’t have to do it alone.”
“Remember, three bears are better than one,” Tyrell added. “You can count on us.”
“I know I can,” Rocco answered, clapping his two friends on their broad shoulders.
The men chatted for a while as they stood at the door. Emma could hear snippets of their conversation, and from what they were saying, she knew that Rocco had told Axel and Tyrell about Caden’s background and the danger he was in.
She liked Rocco’s two neighbors. And she felt oddly relieved to know that Axel and Tyrell were bear shifters as well.
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