Page 51 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

Elsbeth turned to look, surprised to see their makeshift dam had indeed filled completely, water now spilling over the edge they’d constructed. How had he known without even looking? It was just one more mystery about this man.

This man who seemed to have an almost supernatural connection to the land and its resources.

“Come on!” Philip sprang to his feet with boyish enthusiasm, extending his hand to her. She placed her palm in his without hesitation, that now-familiar current of electricity shooting up her arm at his touch.

“It’s working,” she breathed, momentarily distracted from thoughts of their kiss as she took in the sight of the water pooling exactly as they’d planned.

This would be the lifeblood of Rose Farm.

“Let’s go finish the job,” Philip said, his face alight with excitement as he turned to look at her. Then he froze, his eyes lingering on her lips. The air between them charged with electricity. Elsbeth’s heart hammered against her ribs as she moistened her lips instinctively, waiting, hoping.

But instead of leaning in, Philip turned away. “We should finish the system and check for leaks.”

Disappointment washed over her as he began making his way back toward the pipes, his long strides carrying him quickly down the path. She followed, trying to figure out if she’d missed something.

Had she done something wrong? Was he regretting their kiss already? Questions tumbled through her mind as they reached the collection of pipes waiting to be connected.

“Do you want to do the honors?” Philip asked, gesturing toward the final connection.

“The honors?” Elsbeth blinked, pulled from her thoughts.

His smile returned, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “This is your flower farm. This is your irrigation system,” he said, holding out his hand toward the pipes.

“Oh, you should do it,” she replied. “Since you’ve worked so hard on it.”

Philip shook his head. “We do it together.”

He picked up the main pipe, and she moved beside him to grasp the connecting piece. She stood so close that she could feel the heat radiating from his body through their wet clothes, smell the earthy scent of him mingled with spring water.

Together, they aligned the pieces, their hands working in tandem to create the final connection that would bring water from the spring down to her fields. With a satisfying click, the pipes locked into place.

“Now for the moment of truth,” Philip said, his voice low as he reached for the valve. “Ready?”

Elsbeth nodded, her throat suddenly tight with emotion. “Yes.”

Philip’s hand covered hers as they turned the valve together. For a breathless moment, nothing happened. Then came a gurgling sound, followed by the unmistakable rush of water flowing through the pipes.

“It’s working!” Elsbeth exclaimed, unable to contain her joy as she watched the water emerge from the pipe end and begin to fill the small reservoir they’d constructed at the edge of her first field.

Philip’s arm slipped around her waist, pulling her against his side as they watched the water flow. “You did it,” he murmured.

“We did it,” she corrected, leaning into him. “I couldn’t have done this without you, Philip.”

She turned her face up to his, and the look in his eyes stole her breath away. There was pride there, yes, but something deeper, too—something that made her feel…desired.

“Philip,” she whispered.

The sound of his name broke something inside him. He lowered his head, capturing her mouth with his. This kiss was different from the first—hungrier, more demanding. He nipped gently at her lower lip, and when she gasped, he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the warmth of her mouth.

Elsbeth yielded completely, her body melting against his hard, toned chest. She wanted more—wanted everything he could give her. His strong arms encircled her waist, pulling her flush against him until she could feel the hard evidence of his desire pressing against her belly.

Heat pooled low in her stomach as his hands roamed her back, tangling in her damp hair. She wanted to surrender entirely, to feel his skin against hers, to discover every inch of him. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders as the world spun around her.

When their lips finally parted, Elsbeth’s knees buckled. Philip caught her, holding her steady against his chest as they both struggled to catch their breath.

“I’m sor—” she began, embarrassed by her reaction.

“I’m not,” he interrupted hoarsely, his eyes dark with desire. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you like that since the first moment we met.”

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