Page 52 of His Determined Bear

I rubbed his back, “Talk to me, baby.”

“I guess it just hit me that you’re actually leaving tomorrow,” Cooper sighed, “I promised myself I wouldn’t bring it up, and then I walked in here and saw you sitting at the table, and it hit me this time tomorrow it’ll be just me.” He shrugged and leaned back, smiling sadly, “Guess I’ve kind of gotten used to you.”

I chuckled and held on to him tighter, “Is that your way of saying you’re going to miss me?”

He shoved me lightly, “You know I will.”

“I could change—”

He shook his head, “You know you have to get back. And I’ll be there before you know it. We had our first Thanksgiving together, and when I get there, we’ll be celebrating our first Christmas. Think of how magical that will be.”

I nodded because he was right. But I knew the next twenty days were going to be the longest of my life.

“You’re right,” I sighed.

“We’re just starting on our lifetime of firsts,” Cooper said, “and I can’t wait to share every one of them with you.”

My heart! I took a large, deep, savoring breath. Drawing his scent into my nostrils, imprinting it on my soul.

Knowing that I would definitely be leaving tomorrow had me a little down, but I needed to make this night special for us. Three weeks was a long time to be without my mate.

* * *

“Hey, babe? I know the perfect place for us to eat tonight. What time would you like to go because I need to call and get us a reservation?” Cooper asked as he walked into the bedroom where I was packing my suitcase.

I sat down on the bed and pulled Cooper into my lap and wrapped him in my arms, then placed a sweet kiss on the side of his neck.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay here tonight. We’ve been eating out all week, and I’d like to cook for you. It's kinda my thing, ya know?” I teased. I needed to be lighthearted as much as possible for both of us. This separation was going to be difficult after the last ten days.

“I think that’s perfect. I’ll do whatever you want to do,” he replied.

“Great! Are you having any particular cravings for anything special?” I inquired of my pregnant mate.

“Hmmm, I really love the sound of a juicy cheeseburger with french fries,” he said. “I don’t often eat food like that, well except there’s a new spot I have to check out, but this baby is making me want something completely different from my regular diet.”

“I can definitely do that for us. We have a really great burger on our menu at the café, and I can recreate that for you with no problem. I just need to go to the grocery store. Do you feel up to a trip down the baking aisle?” I teased.

“I’d go anywhere with you,” he cooed, giving me a filthy kiss.

“Don’t start that with me,” I scolded with no heat. I pushed Cooper up and lightly popped him on the ass. “Get ready. My babies need a cheeseburger!”

After our trip to the grocery store, where we managed to fill the basket with all kinds of junk Cooper was craving, we made it home and settled in on the sofa to watch some TV and let Coop rest. I knew my little one would be draining on him, just like it had been for Kian. We didn’t know if he was carrying twins yet, but it really didn’t matter to me. We just needed to be as close as possible, preferably skin to skin.

Cooper fell asleep in my arms, and I held him close, memorizing the feel of his heart beating with mine and the feel of his skin on mine. I placed my hand over his growing belly and thanked the Gods for bringing Cooper into my life. I couldn’t believe this was my life now. Getting through the next three weeks without him would be difficult, but we would make it work.

Cooper began to stir an hour later, and I heard his belly growl. That was my cue that my babies needed to eat. Food was my love language, and I adored having the opportunity to cook for him before I had to leave. I also planned to whip up several pans of my brownies for him to have while we were apart. Shifting him onto the sofa, I gently separated myself to start dinner.

The smell of the seasoned meat grilling on the indoor grill had Cooper sneaking in to wrap his arms around my waist as I cooked. I hoped he would do this every time I fed our growing family.

“That smells divine,” he moaned, making my cock stir. Down boy, it's not time for that yet.

“Do you want to make your own, or would you like me to do it for you?” I asked, eager to please him.

“I’ll let you do it since you are the chef,” he said.

When the meat had reached medium well, I gathered the rest of the condiments and toppings to assemble what would forever after be known as the Cooper Burger on the menu at the café. I would save that little gem for him to discover when he returned to Asheville.

We sat down to eat, and Cooper made a very pornographic moan at the flavor of his burger. I’d served his burger on a lightly toasted ciabatta onion roll, topped with melted cheddar cheese, purple onion, green leaf lettuce, tomato, and slathered in his favorite mayonnaise.

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