Page 11 of Taken Home By the Grizzly

He raises an eyebrow, a slight quirk to his lips. “Is it a secret?”

“Huh?”

“Your name.”

“Oh.” My cheeks flare in the cold like a beacon. “It’s Zoe.”

A light comes into his eyes. “Real pretty name.”

“T-thanks,” I stutter. Gosh, that stare. It’s killing my brain cells.

“Well, have a good night, Zoe.” He gives me one more long look, his gaze tracing the length of my body and back again. Then he turns and leaves.

For some reason I stand there, watching him disappear into the dark night, my heart plummeting to my boots.

“Goodbye, hot mountain man,” I whisper.

He stops and turns.

And waves.

Oh, my god. He heard me.

Crap, crap, crap.

My cheeks flame even hotter as I slam the door shut.

4

Lock

Zoe. Zoe. Zoe.

A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I say it over and over, reveling in the sound. My bear can growl it out—which it does, repeatedly. But I don’t tell it to quit. I could listen to her name all day long.

Zoe, my girl. My mate.

I’m sitting on my porch with a beer, looking up at the icy sky and replaying every precious moment I just spent with her.

I picture her as clearly as if I was looking at a photo. Those huge blue eyes, full of intelligence and humor. The freckles scattered across her cute little nose. Those full pink lips. And that, sexy, sexy body of hers. Tight and curvy in all the right places.

I can hardly believe it, but she’s mine.

The one I’m supposed to be with.

She’s not a beast like me, but the most perfect, incredible thing I’ve ever seen.

Young and still untouched, but so ripe to be mated. Her peach blossom scent is driving my animal insane. Now it’s chosen its mate, it’s unstoppable. It won’t quit urging me to go break her door down and throw her over my shoulder. Claim her sweet cherry and impregnate her at the same time.

I imagine her pregnant. That tiny little belly of hers swelling with my young. She’s so good with these kids, I can tell she’ll be a great mother. Perfect little angel on the outside; fierce mama bear on the inside.

Hold yer horses, Lock.

You gotta kiss her first.

I close my eyes, imagining it all. Those rosebud lips parting under my own feral ones. Her body pressing up against mine.

God knows I don’t deserve a princess like her.

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