“Anyone else would have done the same thing,” Taylor said.
“But you were there, you should be proud of yourself.” Kian looked at Melanie, a distant look in his eyes, and as Taylor shook his hand, he felt the undercurrent of loss Kian felt. “I think we have two new members to welcome today. I hear you are Melanie’s mate.”
Taylor cast a sidelong look at Melanie. So she had told them everything. At least she wasn’t ashamed to admit he was hers. “Yes. That’s why I was there; I could feel her. You know.” He shrugged.
“I know, Taylor,” Kian said, his face changing as he looked at Alli with open adoration. “I know how irresistible that urge is.”
“Well, on that note. I think we might leave you two alone to get to know your new baby.” Melanie placed the bags by the side of the bed. She was trying to make a hasty exit. He hoped it was because she wanted to spend time alone with him, but he thought it was because she wanted to keep the two men in her life apart. “Or do you want me to stay? But I am not ready for diaper duty.”
“No, you kids go. I will spend the night here.” Kian looked at Melanie, his eyes filled with something Taylor couldn’t read. And then he got it. Kian was watching his little sister, the one he had looked after and cared for, knowing she now belonged to another man. He was letting go of his responsibilities, and a new sympathy awoke in Taylor. “Keep the truck, I’ll find another way to get home.”
“No. Here, you have the keys,” Melanie said. “We have other ways of getting back to the farm. I think I could use a run, and the snow is thick. You need it more than we do.” She went to Kian and kissed him, pressing the keys into his hand. “And you have a long rest, Alli.”
The two women embraced. Melanie then kissed the baby on the head and came back to Taylor. She threaded her hand into his as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and they turned to leave the hospital together.
“Do I take it we are going to get naked together?” he asked quietly once they were out of earshot.
“Bear skin to bear skin,” she said and they burst out of the hospital into the snow. “Come on, we have to leave town before we change.”
She led him through the snow; it had eased but was still falling lazily, big flakes drifting down on the air. It was so quiet, with only the crump, crump of their feet as they pressed into the virgin snow. It was as though everything was new, fresh, undiscovered. Just like his love for his mate. He only hoped he could prove to Melanie and her family that he deserved her.
Chapter Nine – Melanie
Her wet feet didn’t matter any more. They were practically running along the street, slipping and sliding in the wet snow. She looked up, catching a snowflake in her mouth, he pulled her to him and kissed her, tasting her with his tongue, and then they were off again, running faster.
“Up here,” she said, holding his hand and pulling him up a path that led up onto the lower slopes of the mountain. “If we head for those trees, we can change.”
“I’ll race you,” he said, and pulled ahead of her.
“Not fair, you are much faster than me. But wait until we change, my bear will outrun you.”
“I hope not. If I lose you in this snow, I won’t be the only one disappointed.”
“Then you’d better not lose me.” She changed almost immediately, the snow obscuring her from prying eyes. She figured no human would be up here in this weather, so the risk was a calculated one.
Taking him by surprise, she heard him call out, but she was already running up the trail towards the higher meadows, which were covered in snow. It was much thicker up here and she couldn’t resist stopping and rolling in it, her bear appreciating the cold wet snow on her fur. She rubbed her back into the ground, and then jumped up, shaking the snow from her fur, spraying Taylor as he reached her.
He came towards her and she stiffened, not used to being with a strange bear. But he’s not strange, he’s your mate, she reminded herself. And so she relaxed and let him sniff her face and rub along the length of her, pressing his bear body against hers. Then he bent down, nipped her playfully on the back leg and took off up the mountain before she had a chance to get him back.
Melanie gave chase, the snow spraying up behind her as she ran after him, slowly catching him up. Whether she was faster, or he wanted her to catch her, she didn’t know. But gradually she drew level with him, her lungs working hard to power her up the steep incline. And then they had to drop back down, she nudged him, guiding him down the path which would take them back to the farmhouse and … and what?
Her bear leaped with joy at the thought of what was to come, but Melanie felt a tremor of fear. What if she disappointed him, she was so young and naive. But he is your mate, her bear reminded her. He would make it right, that’s what mates did.
She would soon know, because the farmhouse came into view. The snow had now stopped falling and the smoke from the chimney could be seen. He followed her as they moved ever downward towards their destiny. She could feel his presence behind her, feel how excited he was, and she tried to let that excitement fill her too in the hope she would let go of her nerves.
They slowed as they covered the last half a mile, allowing their senses to check there was no one else around, no one who would see two bears coming down the mountain. She didn’t want any prying eyes to see them. Usually they would change in the woods and then walk down, but it was too difficult a descent in this weather, so they chose to stay as bears.
Once on level ground, she led him behind the house. There was a barn there; she nudged the door open with her snout and went inside. There she stood watching him, her bear wanting to take one last look at her mate before they changed back to humans. His was larger than her, by a good foot or so, his shoulders were thickset, his coat a dark brown, with blond tips on some of his fur. Altogether, he was as impressive as a bear as he was as a human. Her own bear approved.
Once that was settled, she pictured her human self and stepped into the image, her body shifting into her two-legged form. Taylor did the same, his body growing taller and slimmer as he became the man she was about to mate with.
He came to her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her neck. She tilted her head, loving the way his lips felt on her skin. Her hands stroked his back, feeling his strong muscles as they moved to pick her up. Then he carried her out of the barn and into the house.
“Bedroom? Or the fire?”
She knew what he meant. He was asking her where they were going to make love. Swallowing hard, trying to ease her nerves, she said, “Fire, it’ll be warmer.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, “I won’t allow you to feel the cold.”
“I won’t anyway; I’m a bear, remember?”
“Oh, yes, hot blooded.” He drew her to him, his hand going to the nape of her neck, cradling her head as he lowered his head to kiss her. His arms circled her body, drawing her to his, pressing his hard-toned body against her soft curves. She felt her nipples harden, brushing against his hard toned chest.
For an endless moment they stood together, lips pressed against lips, hands caressing each other as the kiss deepened. Then he groaned, took her hand, and led her to the sitting room, where the fire had burned down to embers. Together they rebuilt the fire until it flamed, mirroring their feelings for each other, heat and fire igniting their passion.
“Now it’s warm. Maybe it’s a good time to remove our clothes.” He came to her and began to undo her buttons. Feeling her tremble, he said, “Don’t worry, we’ll take it slow.”
“I’ve never done this before. I’ve never done anything before.”
“I’ll teach you,” he said, kissing her neck and down over her shoulder while he pushed her shirt off her and let it slip to the floor.
Melanie wanted to cover herself up, to hide her voluptuous curves from him. Unlike other young women her age, she had never been confident about her curves. But when he stroked her breasts, reaching behind her to unclasp her bra, she didn’t stop him. He was her mate, the on
e person in the entire world whom she could be confident with. He would never hurt her or tease her.
He cupped her breast in his hand, rubbing the taut bud of her nipple with his thumb; he watched her face as the intense sensations he caused registered with her brain. The breath hissed in through her teeth, and she had to bite her lower lip to stop herself from crying out. But that was what Taylor wanted; he was pushing her, wanting her to feel these strong emotions, emotions he brought out in her.
Lowering his head, he sucked her nipple into his mouth, while continuing to stimulate the other one with his hand. She closed her eyes and imagined what he was doing, as his tongue rolled over her nipple. Sucking and licking, he alternated between her breasts until she was so wet between her thighs, her panties were sopping wet.
Wanting to encourage his arousal, she bravely slid her hand down over his thigh and drew it up to rub his cock, surprised at how hard he already was. He murmured in her ear as she moved her hand up and down, squeezing his hardness, telling her how beautiful she was.
In response, Taylor slipped his hand down over her stomach and began to undo her jeans. Now she did panic. She was about to be naked with her mate, a man whom she wanted with every fibre of her being, but she was scared she wouldn’t please him in some way and he would be disappointed in her for the rest of their long lives.
Then he pushed her jeans down over her hips, and his fingers slipped inside her sex, drawing up to tease her clit. She thought she would pass out with the intense pleasure of it, but when she didn't, she decided she simply had to push her worries aside and enjoy herself. Because that was all he wanted: to please her.
He grabbed a throw rug off the sofa, laying it out on the floor, and then helped her to lie down. Standing, he quickly took off his clothes, his body beautiful as the flames made his skin glow. He took her breath away; she didn’t know what she had done to deserve a man like this, but she thanked fate for bringing them together.
Taylor moved to lie by the side of her, the flames casting shadows across his face. She touched his cheek, drawing him down to kiss her. She wanted to pause and let her heart rate settle before they went further, and he gave her the time she needed, waiting for her to make the next move, despite his painfully hard cock which pressed against her thigh.
Smoothing her hair back from her face he kissed her, his tongue slipping into her mouth and moving in and out, entwining with hers, tasting her, exploring her. Melanie stroked his chest with her fingers, touching his nipples, pinching them lightly to test his reaction. He pressed harder against her thigh. Ultimately, she took pity on him and stroked his cock. Her hand gripping him firmly and moved up and down, taking his arousal to the brink.
Then he stopped her. “If you keep that up, I’m going to come. I don’t want to make a mess.”
She didn’t answer, but moved her hand back to his smooth chest instead. Taylor kissed her, and then slipped his hand between her thighs, entering her sex with two fingers. He hooked one a little and stroked her inner walls until her own arousal matched the intensity of his. She was so close to coming, but he left her hanging over the edge of the abyss. Instead, he moved to lie between her thighs and guided himself towards her entrance.
She felt him press against her outer lips, and then he moved forward, entering her for the first time. She closed her eyes, waiting for the pain to hit her, but he was so careful, so slow, that she felt nothing, only a pressure deep inside her. Taylor thrust harder, pulling back and then thrusting again. Each time he drove into her a little further until she felt full, as though she might be ripped in two. Each time she tensed, he moved back. Only when she relaxed did he push further, thrust deeper.
His mouth claimed hers, his tongue pushing into her mouth to mimic the movement of his cock. In and out, over and over, he took her to the edge and then allowed her to fall, her sex contracting around him, pulsing and throbbing until he came too. He exploded inside her, his essence filling her, while her body took what he offered and drew it deep inside.
He cried out, jerking into her. His hand rough in her hair, his lips rough on hers. He had unleashed his passion and given her everything he had; now they had time to lie side by side in front of the fire and begin to understand that they were a part of each other, their lives irrevocably entwined.
Chapter Ten – Taylor
They lay together as the fire turned to embers. He felt impossibly happy. Here in this moment he felt complete, they were two souls that shared a single bond. All he hoped was that she would be happy to leave here and move to Bear Bluff with him. It was where his house was, but he lived in the middle of town, not in a farmhouse under the mountain. Taylor was perceptive to her needs, and knew that to leave the farm and her family was going to be hard.
She lay with her head resting on his chest. He stroked her skin, watching the embers glow as the fire gradually died down, knowing there was no place in the world he would rather be. This was so right; she was so right. To find the person you were meant to spend the rest of your life with and make love to them was the most amazing thing in the world.
“Hey you,” she said, turning in his arms and smiling up at him.
“Hey,” he said, kissing her lips and trying to push his doubts from his head. This was a day to celebrate, and he couldn’t spoil it. The future was for tomorrow; the present, well, that was for enjoying, right here with his mate.
“Hungry?” she asked.
“For you,” he said smiling and kissing her again.
“Corny.” She sat up and stroked his chest, trailing her fingers down his toned abs and finding her prize, his hardening cock. “But I like it.”
She moved to straddle him, holding his cock in her hand while she tried to position herself so that she could slide down on him. He smiled. Oh yes, the here and now was what he needed to concentrate on. Tomorrow was another day.
“Adventurous, I like it,” he said as she took him inside her. At first, her movements were tentative, unsure, as she took the head of his cock inside her. Then her confidence grew at the same rate as his pleasure. She lowered herself onto him, her hips moving to circle around once she was fully impaled on him. He closed his eyes, his mouth open in ecstasy as she lifted herself up and then lowered herself down again.
Her hands rested on his chest as she steadied herself, and then she established a rhythm that blew his mind. She rode him hard, her inner muscles gripping him, and he soon came inside her. Drawing her down to lay on top of him, he nipped and sucked on her breasts until she came too, her cries in his ears as he emptied his seed into her one more time.
Melanie looked down at him, smiling; he lifted himself to kiss his lips, and knew that he would do whatever it took to make her happy. To make her proud to have him as her mate.
Chapter Eleven – Melanie
At some point in the night, he had carried her upstairs and put her to bed. Then he had lain down next to her and they had slept off their exhaustion. A combination of the cold and their intense lovemaking had taken all her energy. However, the warmth of his body next to hers had comforted her.
Now she opened an eye to see the light streaming in through the window. The sun was shining brightly, and she hoped the snow would melt so that she could easily get back into Bear Creek and also perhaps get her car out of the ditch. Because she had to have a vehicle to get to and from work. It was vital she kept the store open; it would be her sole responsibility now the baby had been born.
Turning, she propped herself up on her elbows and looked at Taylor, who was still sound asleep. She smiled. How could she be so lucky? His dark hair curled around his face, his full lips were open a little, as he breathed softly. Together they would have to work out where they went from here, but for now, her stomach was rumbling, so she kissed his shoulder, trying not to disturb him, wrapped herself in a robe, and went downstairs.
First step was to rebuild the fire. It was now down to the barest of embers, glowing faintly in the grate. It needed cleaning out completely a
nd re-laying, but that would wait for later. She did the best she could, managing to persuade it to burn brightly, warming the room. Satisfied, she headed to the kitchen to put the kettle on; she needed coffee to wake herself up. Then she would cook breakfast. She was used to cooking for Kian, so knew how big an appetite men had.
Breakfast was nearly ready when she heard him moving about upstairs. She quickly finished up and dished up the food onto two plates, meeting him at the bottom of the stairs.
“Morning,” she said, standing on tiptoes and kissing him on the lips.
“Morning,” he said, gathering her into his arms. “Something smells good.”
“I made breakfast.”
“Can’t wait. What time is it?” he asked, letting her go.
“I’m not sure. About ten.”
“Ten! I should be halfway to Cougar Ridge by now.” He went to the sitting room and retrieved the rest of his clothes. “I should go.”
“No. First you need to have breakfast. It won’t take more than ten minutes, it’s all ready and there’s coffee too. You can’t get to work on an empty stomach. And if you’re already this late, another ten minutes is not going to hurt. Anyway,” she said, heading back to the kitchen. “I think you have the best excuse in the world. Trent will understand, won’t he? He is a bear, right?” she called.
“Yes, he is, so maybe you’re right.”
“Here,” she said, passing him a plate. “I thought we could eat it here in front of the fire.” She sat down, tucking her legs under her, and ate, whilst still managing to stare at him.
Taylor looked up at her every so often, and he had a faraway look in his eyes. “Damn, I wish I could phone in sick.”
“Lovesick,” she giggled.
“Most certainly.” He ate his breakfast, nodding in appreciation. Their conversation died, both of them realising just how hungry they were.
“How are you getting back to town?” she asked.
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