Page 56 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

Elsbeth could hardly believe how quickly her life had changed. Just a few weeks ago, she’d been a woman with nothing but a promise to keep and a dream to fulfill. Now, she had water flowing through her fields, roses planted in honor of her mother, and a man…a bear shifter…who called her his mate.

“What are you thinking about?” He held her close, gazing down as he spoke.

“Just...everything,” she replied.

She felt like a child on Christmas morning, unwrapping one beautiful gift after another. The farm, the spring, the roses beginning to take root—and Philip. Especially Philip. After the pain of losing her mom, it was as if the universe had been saving up all its blessings to shower upon her at once.

“I realize it’s been a shock,” he murmured against her hair.

“It has,” she agreed, “but it’s explained so much.” She lifted her face to his. “And I... I like that things will never be complicated between us.”

Philip gave a short laugh. “You don’t think having a bear shifter as your fated mate is complicated?”

“No,” she answered simply. “It means I don’t have to second-guess myself. We are meant to be together, and wewillbe together.” Her gaze drifted over his shoulder toward the farmhouse. “Here.”

Philip turned to look at the farmhouse. “Yes,” he said, sounding slightly shocked, “if you’ll have me.”

“I’ll have you,” she murmured, leaning into his embrace, “although we might set tongues wagging if you move in too soon.”

“Not really,” Philip assured her. “There are plenty of shifters in Bear Creek, and whirlwind romances are a common everyday occurrence.”

“Well then,” Elsbeth said, taking his hand, “why don’t I show you our room?”

“Our room?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Our room.” Taking his hand, Elsbeth led him toward the house, her heart racing at the suddenness of everything that had happened.

Philip didn’t follow her, and when she turned, he wore a conflicted expression.

“What is it?” she asked, worry creeping into her voice.

Philip’s eyes softened as he looked at her. Filled with something she wanted to believe was love. But surely it was too fast, too soon. But then he had told her that fate had already decided they were going to be together forever.Mates.

“Are you sure about this?” he asked. “There’s no rush.”

Elsbeth closed the distance between them, rising on her tiptoes to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. “We’re mates, aren’t we?” she whispered against his skin.

“We are,” he answered hoarsely, his hands resting on her waist.

She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. “Then why don’t we go inside and you can show me exactly what that means?” She looked up at him through her lashes, emboldened by the knowledge that they were connected at some profound level. The certainty of their bond was intoxicating and more potent than even the finest Thornberg wine.

“Showyou exactly?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes,” Elsbeth said as she turned toward the house and tugged his hand. “And I don’t mean your adorable bear.”

Philip chuckled, a deep rumbling sound that wasn’t quite the reaction she’d expected. She cast a questioning look over her shoulder, feeling her newfound courage beginning to slip away.

“My bear is thrilled you find him adorable,” Philip said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Her confidence returned in a rush. “He is, and I want to get to know him,” she replied, “but first I want to get to know you...intimately.”

“Lead the way,” Philip said, his earlier hesitation gone completely.

When they reached the house, she was suddenly nervous. He’d seen the kitchen where she’d put most of her efforts when she first moved in, but the rest of the house needed serious work—work she hadn’t gotten around to yet. But when she looked up at Philip and saw the hunger in his eyes, she knew it didn’t matter what state the house was in, or even if they were in a house at all. All that mattered was that they were together.

Elsbeth opened the door, and they went inside. Philip closed it firmly behind them, and she turned, walking backward as she led him through the house. At the foot of the stairs, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, claiming her mouth with his. His lips moved against hers with urgent need, his tongue tracing her bottom lip. The kiss was deep and consuming, stealing her breath and making her knees weak with desire.

When they finally broke apart, she was gasping for air, her body aching with need. In one fluid motion, he lifted her into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling his hardness pressed against her. Unable to resist, she wriggled against him, drawing a deep groan from her lips as his body tensed against hers. His eyes darkened with desire, becoming almost black as he carried her up the stairs.

---