17
It took a little while to get released from the hospital, but the drive home was charged with sexual excitement.
From the moment they parked in front of the cabin, Francis was leaning over to kiss his mate, trapping her back against his seat as he swept his tongue inside her. She let out a little moan, sinking down into the leather, and he pressed his advantage.
When she was breathless and trembling, he got out of the truck and came around to her side, lifting her out in his arms and carrying her princess style to the cabin that would now be their home.
His whole body was tense with anticipation of taking his mate without any reservation this time.
No mixed messages, no hurt feelings, no withheld promises. Just pure love and protection and safety forever. Always.
“Put me down,” she said, wriggling. “I want to kiss you more.”
“It can wait ‘til the bedroom,” he said, shifting her so he could unlock the front door and then pushing his way inside and kicking it shut behind him. “If we start again, I won’t be able to stop.”
“Good point. Me neither,” she said, her voice husky.
He was already painfully hard. He could still remember the fight he’d had for her. The way his bear had come out like never before, the way nothing mattered but protecting her and keeping her safe.
He had succeeded, she was his, and he knew nothing else would ever make him happier in his entire life.
When she’d shown up on his step on that cold, rainy evening only a few days ago, he never could have guessed it would lead to this.
But perhaps fate had a way of giving second chances, and Francis would always be grateful for that.
He had been able to literally beat the past back from them, and now they could simply look forward to a future that would be filled with laughter and hopefully children and a home in a town that was newly blooming.
He rushed up the stairs and paused at the top when he realized he still hadn’t given her the ring he’d bought for her. The one he’d meant to give her that night when everything had erupted.
He walked to his room, set her on the bed, and then rummaged on the ground for the pants he’d been wearing that night when he’d wanted to propose to her. He’d taken them off before heading up into the woods to mope.
When he found them, he shoved his hand in the pocket and found the velvet ring box, letting out a sigh of relief that it was still there.
When he pulled it out and brought it over to her, she gasped. “What is it?”
He opened the box and held it out to her, getting on one knee. “I meant to do this the other night, but—”
“When did you get it?” she asked, slipping it out of the box and onto her finger, amazed at all the sparkles it cast in the light.
“I was supposed to do that,” he said with a grin, closing the box and setting it on the bedside table so he could sit beside her. “But as long as it’s on you, I’m fine.”
She threw her arms around him in a tight hug, pressing her breasts to his chest. He hugged her back, glad she was happy.
“I love it,” she said, kissing his ear, then his cheek, then his neck.
He pulled back. “I’d rather do that to you, you know. I’m not exactly that sensitive.”
She flushed, pushing dark hair behind her ears. “Oh yeah, that makes sense.” She began to undress, pulling off the clothes she’d worn to the hospital. “Well, I’m fine with that, too.”
Her green eyes met his, lustful, as she dropped her shirt and then bra to the floor. Then she stepped out of her pants and slowly pulled down her panties, revealing her body to him in all its curvy glory.
“You’re so beautiful, Valerie. The most beautiful woman in the world. How did I get so lucky?”
She hooked her finger in his belt. “Show me.”
He pulled his shirt over his head and stepped out of his pants, falling onto the bed with her, his boxer briefs revealing the outline of his huge erection.
“No wonder you broke that condom,” she said, reaching for him. He took a sharp intake of breath, and she grinned. “You know, I’m glad it happened. I’m glad fate found a way.”
“Or condoms just need to be bigger,” he muttered.
“Good thing we don’t need them anymore,” she said. “I won’t mind if you put a baby bear inside me. Wait, it would be a human at first, right?” Her eyes widened. “Is that even safe? I—”
He leaned down to kiss her, protecting and covering her body with his own as his lips soothed her with a gentle, insistent caress. When he finally came up, she was calmer, her cheeks red, her lips turned up at the corners.
“It’ll be okay,” he said. “I promise you. It would be like a normal birth. They would shift, if they could, later.”
She nodded, resting her hands on his wide thighs. “As long as they look like you.”
“Or you,” he said. Then he put a palm to his head. “Listen to us, already talking about the future.”
“We’ve had to wait an unfairly long time,” she said. “We got robbed by Charles. It makes sense that we’re moving quite fast.”
He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the inside of her palm, making her shiver. “I love you. Thank you for coming back to me.”
She nodded, wordless, and he continued to kiss her fingers, her knuckles, the inside of her wrist, as she watched him in wonder. He released her hand and stared down at her, at her naked curves, glowing skin, and beautiful curls spread over his pillow.
She was perfect.
He positioned himself between her legs, wanting to taste her again as badly as he wanted to breathe. He ran his hands over her waist, her hips, and her belly as his lips trailed down to her center. Her legs spread easily on either side of him, inviting him in.
He could do this every night of her life if she wanted him to.
As he began to lick and suck, listening to her little moans and hearing the sheets bunch up in her fingers, he felt his animal going wild inside him.
He hoped she could feel this, his quiet, intense expression of the love he had for her and the commitment he would always keep.
She came and her whole body tensed, her head arching back even as she reached for him, her eyes closed against the pleasure. Pleasure of his own washed through him, and he didn’t think he could be any more content than at that moment, Valerie in his arms.
“I want you,” she murmured against his shoulder.
Francis almost looked to the desk for a condom, then remembered nothing had to come between them now.
He got off the bed so he could step out of his boxer briefs and enjoyed her appreciative glance for a moment before crawling back into bed with her.
She parted her legs, inviting him, and he glanced down at her wet warmth, his eyes devouring the beauty there.
She gasped when he lifted her legs over his shoulders and played at her entrance with his tongue a while longer, sucking as she flailed helplessly, her flesh warm and pulsing and wet.
Then he dropped her back down and came into her, pushing in slowly but steadily and waiting for her body to adjust. Her breaths were rapid, forced, and she closed her eyes as if to deal with the sensation.
“You okay?” he asked.
Her green eyes opened sultrily. “More than okay. It feels amazing when you’re inside me.”
“It feels amazing inside you,” he said. “More than amazing. It feels like home.”
“You know, I felt the same way,” she said. “Our first time. When we mated, I guess.”
He smiled. “Me, too.”
She ran her nails lightly over his shoulders. “It almost feels too good to be real.”
“It’s not,” he said. “And if you ever doubt again, you have my ring to remind you.
“Do you want a wedding?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ll think about it.” She flushed. “Sort of distracted by something else at the moment.” She grinned.
He smiled as he be
gan to move inside her. “Okay, we’ll talk about it later.”
This time, he knew exactly which motions she liked, how far out she liked him to go before pushing back inside, how to vary his speed so her moans came faster, deeper, how to keep stroking and not go with her even as the thrusts sent her over the edge.
He stared at her face as she came, watching pleasure wash through her, feeling it could be only them alone in the universe and he wouldn’t miss a thing.
He began moving again, even as she’d barely stopped coming. Her soft contractions around him urged him on even more, and he increased his pace as she made little thrusts along with him.
She locked her legs around him this time when she came, as if she didn’t want to let him go, as if she couldn’t.
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, softly, tenderly, as she writhed beneath him. She was his. His. And he’d never stop showing her how much that meant to him.
Everything had happened so fast, yet he couldn’t have waited a moment longer. From the moment she’d shown up on his doorstep, it was as if life had started again.
Like he’d been living in black and white and her return had brought color.
Color that would stay for the rest of their lives and beyond, if the universe allowed it.
She panted, staring up at him with those unfathomable green eyes, those sultry lashes. Those teasing lips. That incredible body. She began to thrust up against him, and he knew he would be going with her this time.
The love between them was too powerful. The feelings too strong for him not to give in. And she was looking exhausted, well pleasured, and ready for rest and a cuddle.
He thrust hard, deep, watching every minute change of her expression. There was a sense of oneness, a sense that he couldn’t be far enough inside her because he wanted to know all of her. He wanted to be joined with her very soul.
She was arching already, and her face tensed on the brink of ecstasy. His eyes watched intently for his favorite view in the world.
When she lost it, he felt his body immediately respond, jerking inside her in unison with her release. Powerful emotions raced through him. Everything was as good as the last time but better because there was nothing held back between them.
She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down on her chest, breathing hard. He could feel their hearts beating against each other in unison. Pounding.
“I love you, Valerie. I love you so much.
“I love you, too. With all my heart.”
Never leave me, and I’ll protect you the rest of our lives.”
She nuzzled in against him. “Never. I’ll never leave you again. Whatever comes, we’ll fight together.”
And they would succeed.
Charles was wrong.
Love wasn’t a weakness or a disadvantage. Love, in its truest, unselfish form, gave only strength.
She pulled back and kissed him on the lips, deeply, and he sank into it.
They stayed like that for a long moment, hearts slowly calming, realization dawning that a whole future together was just in front of them, as warm and welcome as a new sunrise.
Thank you for reading Francis and Val’s story! That concludes my Bear Canyon series and a big thank you to everyone who stayed on this journey with me.
I know you’ll miss Bear Canyon, but I have some special surprises coming your way…with wings and scales? ;)
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I really appreciate all of you readers who give reviews, feedback and encouragement. Writing can be a lonely job at times but when you have awesome readers like I do, it’s so much better and it makes it all worth it.
Sincerely,
Terry
I have a great boxed set full of sexy bear shifters for only 99 cents or in KU that is a reader favorite, and I’ve included the blurb here and a sample on the next page. Hopefully it can hold you over to the next series!
Soldier Bears Box Set
Zeus, Ares and Hades are bear shifters who brought the thunder as squad mates in an all shifter special forces unit of the army. Now they’re home and finding love in the most unexpected places with the women they were always meant to protect.
Big Bad Bear
Former squad leader Zeus is living as a recluse in the woods, with just one mission left. Win the heart of the curvy waitress that his bear knows is his mate, while protecting her from the gang terrorizing the town.
Big Sexy Bear
Weapons expert Ares is smooth, calm and good with the ladies. That is, until he finds Katrina in trouble on the side of the road, and learns that no one is that smooth when protecting the woman they love.
Big Strong Bear
Dark, scarred Hades gave up on love when he nearly died in the service, but Cassie, the woman who loved him in the past, isn’t ready to give up on the bear she knows is her hero.
Warning: These sexy, standalone bear shifter novels contain sexy scenes, moderate violence, lots of action, and some dirty language. Hope you enjoy!
Soldier Bear Boxed Set
Carly had to get out of this town.
She absentmindedly wiped down the tables at Lone Tree Bar and Grill once more. Anything to pass the time during the dead zone between lunch and dinner. The bar was deathly quiet in the afternoons, only frequented by the occasional jobless man looking to drown his sorrows or people who worked night shifts looking to take the edge off before work started.
The Lone Tree was one of several bars in Bearstone Village, a tiny town nestled at the base of a vast mountain range that held one of the world’s most famous winter sports resorts, Bearstone Park. But unlike Bearstone Park, this town was old, rundown, and virtually empty during summers when the resorts were closed, since nobody would drive through a tiny place like this except to get to somewhere much nicer.
If only I could make enough to move out and get a fresh start someplace new, Carly thought to herself as she grabbed the rag she was using and tossed it into a small bucket.
She was grateful that Rob, the owner, had given her the job six months ago, since it was the only thing keeping her afloat right now. She was still several months behind on rent since the creditors were constantly haranguing her to make good on her other payments, but at least she was moving forward, not backward.
Around five or so, people would start milling in to grab a beer or a bite to eat, and things would pick up. Depending on tips, she could sometimes do all right, though most people in this town were just as poor as she was.
Carly had just started drying a few clean glasses when she was interrupted by the tinkle of the bells that hung over the front door. She looked up to see a huge shadow standing in the doorway. In walked a towering man wearing leather boots, roughed-up jeans, and a huge black leather jacket that bulged at the shoulders.
He probably stood at six feet six or so, a good foot or more taller than Carly. He had dark, unkempt hair that fell over his face in slight waves, which looked like a woman had just been running her hands through them, and steely blue eyes that watched her carefully, showing no emotion.
As he came into the light and nodded to Carly, she recognized his handsome, masculine face.
Zeus Wilson.
He walked over to his usual stool at the far corner of the bar. She could almost feel the ground rumble beneath her from the thump-thump of his huge boots as he moved, and despite his worn-looking clothes, she could make out incredibly muscled thighs straining his jeans and massive pecs and arms that looked ready to burst out of his jacket.
Zeus had come in a few times since Carly had worked here. After the first time, she’d asked Rob about him.
Apparently, he was a noted recluse who lived alone in the mountains and only came down occasionally to do business with locals.
“What can I get fo
r you?” Carly asked from behind the bar where she stood. Even hunched over with his arms planted on the bar top, the man was humongous. His mere presence was intimidating.
“Whisky,” Zeus answered in a husky tone that filled her with anticipation. He was so large, so masculine; it was impossible to not be aware of his presence.
“Which brand?” she asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.
“Any,” he replied.
Carly grabbed a bottle of something mid-range and a shot glass. As she came over to where he was seated, she could feel his eyes following her every movement, intimidating but also thrilling. It made her scared to look directly at him for fear of making eye contact and seeing those striking blue irises, so she watched the ground as she came over.
She opened the bottle and moved to pour a shot for him when the bottle was gently whisked out of her hand. Carly looked up to see Zeus set the bottle beside him and pull something out of the pocket of his jacket with the other.
He slid money onto the bar in front of her. Her eyes widened as she looked down at it. A hundred was far too much, especially considering he was pouring his own drinks and making it less work for her.
“I can’t take that,” Carly said, pushing the bill toward him. The last thing she wanted to do was rip someone off. Especially someone like Zeus, who’d always been a good customer.
Zeus put his hand over hers, his huge fingers entirely enveloping it and the hundred. There was a slight roughness to his palm that she could feel on the top of her hand, and the light touch sent sparks of electricity through her fingers and down her spine, giving her goose bumps. He gently pushed her hand and the bill toward her, and she finally dared to look up and meet his piercing gaze.
His clear blue eyes were a deep royal blue. Intense, with a depth that seemed to go on forever.
Zeus said nothing, just shook his head slowly as he pressed her hand back along the smooth bar, the money underneath it. When his hand finally released hers, Carly let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
Secrets of the Bear (Trapped in Bear Canyon Book 4) Page 12