by Rayne Reilly
The corner of Marcy's lip curled and her eyes twinkled with a secret that Amara knew could not possibly be bad.
"What do you mean?" Marcy teased.
"Do you know something about tonight that I don't?" Amara asked. She approached Marcy and put her hands on her shoulders. A little taller than Marcy, she looked down into her friend's eyes.
"I'm sworn to secrecy! I'm so happy for you," she said cheerfully and hugged Amara.
"Fine. Keep your secrets. I've got to get downstairs; he'll be here any minute."
Both women headed downstairs as the doorbell rang.
***
It was a warm June evening and the air was perfect as Amara and Bern stepped back outside. Amara intentionally didn't want to have to cover up her dress, or the cleavage it revealed. She had seen the delight on Bern's face when she opened the door. She could have sworn she heard a quiet growl when he hugged her. His bear obviously approves of my outfit, she grinned to herself mischievously. She had accepted that he was a shifter and it had surprised her just how easy it had been to do so. In fact, it turned her on even more.
"What are you making for dinner?" she asked as he opened the car door for her to slide inside.
Bern smiled while remaining tight-lipped about his plans for the night, which left Amara intrigued. He had promised her a homemade dinner at his house and she couldn't wait to see if he could cook, but also what his home looked like.
"It's a surprise,” he grinned. “I think I know what you like, don't worry."
"I'm not worried. Just intrigued. Marcy was acting very suspicious. Are you up to something?" she teased.
He didn't respond and kept his eyes on the road. Reaching toward her, he took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb gently on her skin.
They drove in relative silence for about fifteen minutes. He lived slightly out of town but on a different road than Austin. Amara wasn't sure what to expect in terms of the kind of house Bern would have and when they pulled up to a large craftsman style home, she wasn't disappointed. It had a charming, rustic quality about it, but she could tell it was a large house and well-built.
"I love your house," she said happily.
"Thanks. It's not quite as big as Austin's. He built a five-bedroom, but ours – I mean, mine – has four bedrooms."
Amara couldn't help but notice that Bern had started to say, “our home” before changing the wording to “mine.” Her heart leapt with joy at the thought of living with him. Every time she was close to him, she felt complete.
Living with him as well as working at the same place might have seemed too much for some people but not for her and Bern. Though she didn't see him much all day long at work, it was nice knowing that he was just a floor away in the company building. Sharing lunches with him and their friends gave her a sense of belonging she'd never had before. Her life was shaping up rather nicely.
"It's a perfect house," she said, beaming at the man with whom she just realized she had fallen in love.
Getting out of the car, they entered the house together. Amara looked around for the first time. The front entrance had dark hardwood flooring and the walls were painted a pale cream color. To her right was a living room that was decorated in cool colors of pale green and muted yellow. The furnishings were stylish.
She was surprised to see that his house had so much color, seeing that his office was not very interesting in its decor. To her left was a dark wooden staircase with a long polished railing.
She wasn't disappointed. It was comfortable, bright, spacious and everything she loved in a home.
"Wow. You do have a flair for decorating after all," she joked.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Your office is a little, well, bland. I wasn't sure what to expect here," she said turning to him. She pushed against him and ran her hands through his hair. "Not to worry. You are anything but bland," she added before kissing him softly.
He hugged her and chuckled.
"I had a decorator help. Does that count?" he raised one brow at her.
Tilting her head back, she looked up at him and replied sweetly, "Sure."
Bern leaned in for one more kiss. Taking her hand he led her to the kitchen.
"The dining room is that way," he pointed to another room off the kitchen. She could see a long wooden table, beautifully decorated. "It's all set. I just have to finish cooking the meal," he smiled.
Standing at the large kitchen counter, Bern moved toward his fridge. "Would you like something to drink?" he asked.
"Sure...what's for dinner? Can I help?" she asked when she saw plates and bowls of food on the counter and island. It was clear he had chopped things up but hadn't started cooking yet. Bern pulled out a bottle of white wine and poured her a glass. Amara was tickled that he knew exactly what she liked. Clearly, he had been paying attention on their dates.
"Tonight, I am serving you. Just sit and watch me work," he said, as he placed the glass of wine in her hand and kissed her lips.
Chapter Sixteen
It seemed to Bern that Amara had accepted the change of pace and lifestyle that living in a small town offered. He could tell that she liked her job and she had told him that she found it just challenging enough. He hadn't realized how unhappy she had been at her old job and he realized quickly that she hadn't either.
Seeing so much of her made him blissfully happy and now all he wanted was for things to move forward for them. He had held off asking her to his house and they hadn't slept together again since the night they met. He had truly given them a chance to start over.
After discussing their relationship with Austin, he had come to the decision that he would ask her to move in with him. He knew it was still pretty quick but he also knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He didn't doubt that.
There was only one thing he had to know before he broached the idea of living together. He had to know if she was in love with him. He had no doubt about his feelings for Amara and though he hadn't told her in as many words, he had shown her in his actions toward her. He had watched as her rough exterior softened with each date.
Each night as they kissed goodbye, he had so badly wanted to make her his. Bern's resistance had all but vanished. He hoped that she no longer doubted his true feelings for her. The fact that he hadn't jumped her bones and torn her clothes off every time they were together had to be proof enough.
All the while that he cooked a steak dinner for both of them, he felt her eyes on him. He was glad that the counter hid his groin area because seeing her wearing the low cut dress she had chosen for tonight, had given him a massive erection that he could feel pushing against his trousers. Her cleavage was begging for him to bury his face in it. He bit the inside of his cheek as he looked down at the stove. His inner bear was moaning...begging to touch her...to be inside her.
He plated their food and took it to the table. Tucking into the food, she licked her lips after her first mouthful. Bern was positively beaming.
"This is incredible Bern! Thank you so much," Amara said, most appreciatively.
"My pleasure. Glad you like," he gazed at the beautiful woman seated at his table. His mate. The woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life.
If he didn't know any better, he would think she was hurrying with eating so they could move on to other things. He grinned at her as he ate. He could tell she was aroused and he ached to touch her and pleasure her. Amara grinned a sexy grin and licked her lips.
"I hope you plan on giving me a proper tour of the house?" her voice was breathy and sexy. A low growl came from deep inside Bern's chest. He reached across the table and took her hand, squeezing it seductively.
"Of course," he said, "I was thinking the same thing." He winked knowingly. He loved that they knew each other almost intuitively. They were alike in the ways that mattered and different in ways that kept things interesting.
When they were nearly finished their dinner, he stopped and cleared his throat. He wanted
to talk to her before they got carried away with other things.
"Do you mind if I ask you something?" he asked. His hands slid through his hair and back to the table. Her brows shot up and she put her fork down to give him her full attention.
"No...what's up?" she asked.
"Well, I am,” he joked, pointing to the bulge in his pants and grinning. “But that's not what I was going to discuss just now.”
Amara burst out laughing, holding her napkin to her mouth. He was glad she had swallowed her food before cracking that little joke. He loved her sense of humor. He chuckled and waited for her to compose herself before he continued.
"Okay, sorry," she said. She sat up straight, attempting a serious face and failing miserably.
"I wanted to ask you if you're enjoying our time together as much as I am?" He was grinning from ear to ear. She really does make me feel completely happy.
"Yes, very much,” she agreed. “More than I ever thought I could with my track record being what it is. I never expected a real honest to goodness love relationship, where I would feel respected and cared for."
"Great...and ditto by the way," he said.
"Why do you ask? Don't I seem happy to you?"
"Of course. Yes you do,” he acknowledged. “I just wanted to know if you have given any more thought to the fact that we are mates...I understand it hasn't been very long for us. I want to know how you feel about it?"
Amara put her napkin to one side of her plate and placed her hands in her lap. He could tell that she was thinking of what to say. He hoped that whatever it was, it would be good. He held his breath, waiting.
"I have given it a lot of thought and the last few weeks that I've gotten to know you, I can see what you mean. There is something special between us that I can't explain. A few short weeks ago, I never imagined myself with a shifter, let alone a soul mate. Yet here you are. You wouldn't let me run away and you never judged me.
“I would be lying if I didn't tell you that my feelings for you have grown strong very quickly," she smiled and pushed her shoulders back in the chair. Taking a deep breath she blurted, "I think I've fallen for you...is that what you're asking me?"
Bern raised one brow. His bear leaped inside him. He knew she was outspoken but hadn't expected her to be so forthcoming with her feelings.
"Yes. I guess it is. For the record, I am in love with you," he said. "But no pressure," he joked.
His insides quivered at actually speaking the words aloud. Austin had told him that the best way to deal with human women was to be direct and honest. It was easier with Amara than he had ever found it with any other woman. Her sense of humor was a lot like his and she was able to laugh at herself, which he found refreshing.
For the most part, she was confident, sexy and strong and he loved that about her. The way Amara was looking at him right now assured him that he had done the right thing.
He watched as she pushed her chair back and stood up. Without taking her eyes off him she walked around the table and stood next to him. Slowly, he stood up, his napkin falling from his lap to the floor.
"You make me so happy," she said to him.
"That's very mutual," he said as they put their arms around each other. Their lips met in an electrifying and earth-shattering kiss. Both of them were breathing heavily as they stopped and gazed into each other's eyes.
"I think it's time for that tour now," she said breathlessly, her chest heaving. He could hear her heart beating wildly.
"I agree. Let's start with the bedroom," Bern responded.
***
Together, they pushed open the double doors to the master bedroom. Bern took Amara's hand to lead her to his huge bed. Determined to do things more slowly and romantically this time, he began kissing Amara's face and neck. She moaned quietly and ran her fingertips along his body. Their hearts raced wildly as their hands and tongues explored each other passionately.
Amara allowed Bern to undo her dress so she could slip out of it. She stood in front of him in only a black bra and panties. His face lit up when he took in the sight of her. Her curves were so much more beautiful than he remembered.
Seeing her this way made him want to rip off the sexy lingerie and claim her as his. He bent to kiss and nibble at her neck and shoulder, pulling the bra straps down on each side as he did so.
She reached around to unclasp the bra and it fell to the floor. He noticed the pale pink scars that marked the skin just above her left breast. First he traced them carefully with his fingers and then slid his tongue along them before kissing them tenderly. She held his head to her, with her hands threaded through his hair. He felt her body tense only slightly when the scars had been revealed but as soon as he touched them and kissed them she melted into him again.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, as he took both breasts in his large palms and encircled each nipple one at a time with his hot tongue. She moaned ever so softly as he kissed, stroked and fondled her. As his hand found its way down her legs to her inner thighs, her desire for him was more apparent than ever. He explored her body with his mouth and fingers. He stopped only long enough to discard his clothing.
Lifting Amara onto the bed, he spread her legs and kissed her inner thighs. Slowly, he caressed and licked his way to her soft moist folds. Her moans grew louder as he licked and tugged at her sweet spot. She tasted so good.
He was trying to hold on but knew he wouldn't last much longer. Her fingers were threaded through his hair, tugging at him. Pulling at him as she climaxed, he finally allowed himself to lie next to her.
"I want to taste you," she whimpered. She rolled him onto his back and moved down his body, leaning in to kiss his chest and abdomen in long sensuous kisses. When she reached his swollen manhood she took a sharp breath as she felt it in her hands. Wrapping her fingers around him, she stroked gently a couple of times. He felt himself pulsating in her hand. He inhaled deeply and groaned, "I don't know if I can hold on," he murmured.
Ignoring his words, her mouth closed around him. Her smooth tongue teased and flicked at him, threatening to bring him to orgasm.
"I want to be inside you now," he demanded.
She looked up at him, batting her lashes coquettishly. She pushed herself up off the bed and straddled him, with her legs on either side of his hips. She held her hot entrance just above him while he throbbed with desire, reaching for her. Easing him inside her, she slid down over him. He moaned at the feel of her slick walls adjusting to him.
She giggled and pushed herself down harder, allowing him to fill her completely. She moved up and down in time with him, as he held her hips and thrust himself deep inside of her. It felt so good to be with her again. She felt so good.
He ran his hands up her body and massaged her breasts. Thrusting his strong hips, he pushed deeper and deeper. Stroking his thumbs along her nipples, she moaned. She tilted her pelvis forward so that her pleasure spot received maximum pleasure.
"God you feel so good," he said.
"So do you," she grinned.
He reached up to take her into his arms, then flipped her onto her back, so that he was on top of her. He was so close to coming, it wouldn't be long now. The way she moved was so incredibly sexy.
Positioning himself between her legs just right, she squealed with delight as he pushed himself deep inside her once more. Thrusting faster and deeper, he could feel himself edging closer to exploding inside her. His inner bear was growling and clawing at him to come out. Her voice sent him over the edge.
"Don't stop," Amara moaned. They both climaxed together as he let out a loud roar. Amara clung to him, clenching and squeezing every last bit of him into her. He kissed her face over and over, brushing her hair off her sweaty brow.
Moving to lie beside her he felt a sense of satisfaction mixed with pride. He knew that she was his, there was no doubt about that. They were made for each other.
"Bern?" She playfully stroked his ear with one hand.
"Hm?” He responded, stroki
ng her side slowly with his fingers.
"I love you," she said softly.
Bern leaned in to kiss his mate.
"I love you, too. You make me a very happy man," he said, "Move in with me," he blurted as he kissed her nose.
Amara's eyes went wide.
"Seriously?"
"Yes. One hundred percent. I understand if you need time to think about it."
"I don't need time to think about anything. I want to live with you. There's just one thing?"
Bern worried that she might still fear him and was concerned that he hadn't done enough to reassure her about him being a shifter and what it entailed.
"What's that?" he asked.
"Can we do that mate bonding thing? I want to make sure you aren't going anywhere. You said it keeps you with me forever, right?"
He laughed, "We don't need to do the ritual to keep me with you. I am yours for life...But if you want to do it and you're ready, we can do the ritual. Are you sure you've thought this through?"
"I haven't stopped thinking about it since you mentioned it. It sounds so incredibly sexy and amazing. The thought of having you bite me and binding us together as mates forever...I can't wait."
"Well you'll have to wait for a few more minutes...we need to be having sex to do it," he laughed.
Epilogue
The warm shower beat down on Amara, washing away any residual memories or thoughts that may have still tried to cling to her. Moving in with Bern was icing on the cake for her. Finally, she had her happily ever after and as unbelievable as it was, it was real. Bern was the perfect mate for her in every way.
Finally having a night where they made love as mates, it filled her with emotions and feelings that were almost too much. The way he held her and loved her, it was more than she ever could have hoped.
Amara ran her hands through her hair as she rinsed out the shampoo. The bite on her shoulder stung just a little, but the memory of it filled her with other things. She and Bern had made love for a second time last night, after more than a month of abstinence. While she squirmed wildly beneath him, savoring the feeling of his huge erection, he pulled himself out of her. He then lifted her and turned her onto her hands and knees, entering her from behind. She had pushed herself against him hungrily.