Page 14 of Fire Bear

“I feel it too,” she whispered. The moon glinted off his hazel eyes, revealing raw emotion that mirrored her own.

“Let’s walk over to the gazebo,” he said, mouth curving in a conspiratorial grin. “There’s a nice couch. I can start a fire.”

Eliana’s pulse quickened. Though faint nerves fluttered, excitement bubbled. “That sounds perfect.”

He smiled, taking her hand. They walked a narrow path weaving deeper into the lodge grounds, under pines that rustled softly. The hum of the main lodge faded, replaced by crickets and an occasional owl. Within minutes, they reached a wooden structure on the shore.

A soft lantern by the entrance showed a short flight of steps. Ash unlocked the door, and she followed him inside. The gazebo was surprisingly cozy, with a plush couch facing a small stone fireplace. Next to it stood a neatly stacked pile of kindling and logs. Warmth flooded her cheeks; they would be alone, free from prying eyes, with only the sound of water lapping around them.

Ash methodically arranged kindling in the fireplace as she sank into the couch. Soon, sparks glowed in the hearth, the gentle flame illuminating the wooden beams. In the flickering light, Ash stood, satisfied with this work. The warmth of the flames was comforting and subtly intimate.

He settled beside her on the couch, his knee brushing hers. The fire’s glow danced on the log walls. Time seemed to slow. Eliana leaned back against the couch. Ash reached out to cup her cheek, his palm warm and sure. She turned into his touch, heart racing when his thumb grazed her lower lip. Her body thrummed with a yearning that felt like an avalanche of need.

“Is this okay?” he asked softly, leaning in.

“Yes,” she breathed, voice trembling with anticipation. “Very much okay.”

Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss. She sank into it, parting her mouth to taste him. A gentle moan escaped her when he deepened the kiss, heat pooling in her core. The day’s worries vanished, replaced by the pulse of desire coursing through her veins. She pressed closer, tangling her fingers in his hair. He murmured something she could not decipher, just a soft groan that vibrated through her.

He trailed kisses down her jaw, continuing along her neck. Each brush of his lips sparked new tingles. She tilted her head back, lost in the swirl of sensation. He slid his hands down to her hips.

Firelight danced on his strong features, revealing the hunger in his eyes. She felt a trembling rush of warmth between her thighs, silently pleading for more. She spread her legs, and he slid his hand along the inside of her thigh.

He murmured, “I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want this. Please tell me if it’s too fast.”

Her throat felt tight. She lifted a shaky hand to his cheek, letting words emerge from the haze of desire. “I want this.” She felt her cheeks flame at the admission. “I want you.”

A flash of excitement crossed his face. “You can always tell me if you want to slow down.” She nodded, and he sealed their agreement with another kiss, deeper and more urgent. When his lips drifted down her neck, sliding lower, she inhaled sharply, arching her back. Heat ignited her skin as he moved with slow, deliberate intention.

Her pulse thundered when he lifted the hem of her blouse, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her stomach. She gasped at the intensity, fingers digging gently into his shoulders. The world melted into shadows and flickering light, and all she felt was Ash’s mouth exploring her.

He pulled down the cup of her bra andtracedhis tongue around her nipple. Eliana threw her head back, letting out a gasping cry. Ash sucked her nipple deeper, palming the other breast. A gush of desire flooded between her legs. She groaned, looking down at him as she gripped his hair. She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes. “God. Yes,” she gasped.

Then he slid lower, settling to his knees at her feet. “Eliana,” he whispered, voice thick with emotion. “I want to taste you.”

“Please.”

He guided her thighs apart and slid up her skirt. He pressed kisses to the sensitive skin above her inner thigh, moving higher, until she let out a soft moan. He pulled down her panties, slidingthem off her feet. She gasped as the warm air from the fireplace radiated across her slick pussy.

Ash pressed a kiss to her lips, resting his weight between her legs. She felt his cock, hard, thick, and long, against her wet opening. She groaned as he thrust his tongue into her mouth and palmed her breast. Eliana gushed for him as he sank back to his knees.

He pressed kisses on her thighs and breathed warm air on her pussy, parting her lips with his hands. Ash pressed the flat of his tongue to her labia, sliding up to press against her clit. She groaned and he pinched her nipples.

Eliana whimpered with surprise and pleasure, unsure how to accept so much from Ash. She’d been alone so long, and her longest relationship was with her “toy” collection. Seeing Ash on the floor between her thighs, the fire he built for her, glowing on the fabric of his soft shirt, made her want to tear his clothes off.

She tilted her pelvis into his face as he deepened his exploration of her clit. His tongue twirled on her nub, and she whimpered as he sucked it into his mouth. She felt the rush of desire flowing through her. She gripped the couch cushions as her entire body tensed. Eliana barreled toward release.

“Ash... oh God.” Words tangled with moans, her pulse roaring in her ears. Every nerve crackled with desire, pushing her closer to the edge. One more swirl of his tongue unleashed a wave of ecstasy that left her gasping, back arching off the cushions.

He stayed with her through the climax, pressing kisses to her inner thighs as the tremors subsided. She had never felt so open and alive. Wanting more, she tugged him up to kiss her. His glorious hard cock teased against her wet, throbbing folds.

“I can’t... do everything, not yet,” Ash said, sitting beside her. “If we go all the way tonight, I think I’d be too tempted to claim you. I need more time to know I can control myself.”

Eliana’s chest constricted, as she quickly pulled her panties back on. She understood his caution. Shifter mating was no casual thing. The bite that sealed a bond was permanent, it couldn’t be broken. And this was their second date.

She took his face in her hands and gazed into his eyes. “I respect your concern. Thank you for being mindful. You’ve already given me so much pleasure.” She kissed him, tasting herself on his lips. “We’ll move at the pace that feels right. Let’s figure it out day by day.”

He exhaled, tension leaving his broad shoulders. “Thank you for understanding,” he whispered, arms sliding around her in a gentle embrace. She nestled against his chest, the fire crackling in the hearth. “I want our bond to be built on a solid foundation of trust.”

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