Page 29 of Taken Home By the Grizzly

When I finally come into the bedroom, he’s sprawled out on Todd’s bed, and the three of them are piled around him, again.

And he’s not reading a story, but telling it from memory. I pause by the door, just out of sight, and listen.

It’s the tale of a bear who’s lost his family, and wanders around in the world until he finds his people. The kids listen spellbound, and my heart aches.

It sounds so much like my own secret dreams. And Lock’s, too?

Lock keeps going with an epilogue, running it on until three pairs of eyes have started to droop.

We give each other a thumbs-up, and he helps me move Jace and Mari into their own beds.

Then we creep downstairs together.

* * *

The momentmy feet hit the bottom step, Lock drags me into his arms.

We tumble through the living room door and he shuts it behind us.

At last, we’re alone together.

I feel his big body quaking and sense the passion he’s been holding back.

He kisses me long and deep, exploring my mouth, running his hands through my hair.

Then he draws back, cupping my face in his big, rough hands. “I’m sorry I left you alone all day, baby.”

I blink. “That’s okay. I’m used to being alone,” I manage to say.

He gives me such a sad look. “You’ll never be alone again.”

He traces a line of burning kisses from my lips, to my jaw, to the hollow of my neck. “A bear looks after his mate. Puts her needs first, always.”

I sigh—at the magic of his lips. At his words. He keeps going, all the way down to the top button of my shirt. I hold my breath, willing him to unfasten it. I want his touch so bad I’m ready to beg.

Suddenly, he tears himself away with a ragged groan. “I should go.”

“What? Why?” I whimper, then cringe at the naked need in my voice.

He chafes my lower lip with the pad of his thumb. “Because I’m about to hit the point of no return, baby. Where I won’t be able to control myself.”

I swallow hard. “Maybe I don’t want you to,” I tell him. I close my lips around his thumb and draw it into my mouth. I don’t know what I’m doing, but it feels good. I suck it a little, tasting the saltiness of his skin.

A growl of pure hunger pours from his throat.

Oh, that’s sexy.

He pulls his hand away and fixes me with a serious look. “Zoe, I don’t think you know what you’re saying.”

I take a deep breath and lift my chin. “I’m saying I need you to fuck me, right now.”

9

Lock

Fuck.

She’s trembling a little, but her blue eyes are full of determination.

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