Page 25 of Taken Home By the Grizzly

Zoe and I draw away and let the kids get back to their work.

“Someone obviously explained about shifters and told them not to tell humans about it,” I whisper to her.

“So, they were raised by shifters until they were old enough to talk, at least?” she replies.

I feel the warmth of her sweet breath in my ear. It takes all my self-control not to snap my head around and claim her lips with my own. “Yeah. I was just thinking that.”

We stand side-by-side, drinking our hot chocolates and watching Todd and Jace taking turns to stand on Mari’s shoulders and work on the bear’s face.

“They’re so much better behaved when you’re around,” Zoe says.

I huff out a breath. “They’re just calmer around another shifter. Guess they understand me better.”

“It breaks my heart that they’ve been deprived of that.”

“Me too. Just a good thing you answered that job ad though.” I lay my hand on her arm. “I’m gonna do everything I can to find their parents, don’t you worry.”

She breaks into a smile. “Thank you, Lock, I appreciate that. So much.”

I gather up the kids’ discarded mugs and take them back to the house. I’m just loading them into the dishwasher, when I hear the sound of Zoe’s footsteps. She tears off her jacket and woolly hat, and her long brown curls come tumbling out.

I’m still straightening up when she runs into my arms. She loops her arms around my neck and pulls me down for a kiss. My heart pounds as I lean in and possess her small, sweet mouth again. Her lips are cold on the outside, while her tongue is like warm velvet.

When I press her curvy little body against me, my cock turns rock-hard again, jabbing against her belly. Trying to get to her.

“I want you so bad,” I growl against her lips. I’m close to losing control.

“You do?”

“You have no idea. You’re so sexy. That sweet virgin sense of yours is driving me crazy.”

“Oh, you know?” she says in a high, tight voice. She’s too precious. She has no idea how compelling her scent is to a beast like me. I’m one step away from yanking her jeans down and taking her right over the counter. But, no. I’m gonna make darn sure her first time is as perfect as she is. Who knows how that’s gonna happen with the kids around, but I’m determined not to rush things, no matter how my beast is tearing me up inside.

Reluctantly, I pull away from her. “I’ve got to go out, run a couple of errands,” I tell her. “Will you be okay with the kids?”

She peers through the window. “Yeah, I think they’re about done outdoors, and it’s getting kinda cold. I’ll keep them inside.”

“Yeah, you do that. Lock the doors and don’t let anyone in, but me.”

“I won’t,” she says with a grin. I wonder if she’s thinking how cozy we sound. Like we’re already together. Mated. What a beautiful thought.

I give her one more kiss goodbye, then I head over to my old truck, which is parked up in a clearing a half mile from my cabin.

It kills me being apart from her. But being the beast I am, I don’t even own a cell phone, so I’ve gotta do what I’ve gotta do in person.

And when I’m back, I swear I’m never letting her out of my sight again.

8

Zoe

The giant snow bear is complete at last. And by some miracle, the kids are finally un-bounced. They are gazing at their creation in quiet awe.

“You guys, this is the best snowman I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” I tell them.

“Really?” Todd asks with such earnestness my heart melts.

“Hand on heart.” I press my hand to my chest. “Come on, let’s take some photos.”

---