Page 67 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

Tears pricked at her eyes, blurring her vision as she stepped back into the entryway where Philip stood in nothing but his boxer briefs, his powerful body glistening with lingering raindrops.

His expression immediately shifted to concern. “Hey,” he said softly, crossing to her in two long strides. “It’ll be okay. Whatever the storm damages, we’ll fix it together. I promise.”

“These are happy tears,” she whispered, surprised by the emotion overwhelming her.

“Oh,” Philip said, his eyebrows rising in surprise as thunder crashed outside, punctuating the moment. Through the windows, lightning illuminated the world in stark flashes, but inside, Elsbeth had never felt more secure.

She moved to him, taking his large hand in both of hers. “You were right when you told me I’m never alone. I get it now.”

Philip cupped her face with his free hand, his thumb brushing away a tear. He leaned down and kissed her, a gentle press of lips that deepened as she responded. Elsbeth pressed herself against him, seeking his warmth as a shiver ran through her chilled body.

Without warning, Philip bent and swept her into his arms. “You should have a hot shower before you freeze,” he said, carrying her toward the stairs.

In the bathroom, he set her down carefully on the bath mat and reached to turn on the shower, adjusting the temperature until steam began to rise. Elsbeth watched him, love and desire mingling in her chest as the room filled with steam.

She stepped into the shower, the hot water cascading over her skin, washing away mud and cold. “Aren’t you going to join me?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at him.

A slow smile spread across Philip’s face as he removed his underwear and stepped in behind her. The water streamed over both of them, hot against her chilled skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat that ignited inside her when his hands settled on her waist.

Elsbeth turned to face him, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. The desire she saw there made her breath catch. With sudden boldness, she placed her hands on his shoulders.

“Kneel for me,” she whispered.

Philip tilted his head questioningly for a moment before understanding dawned in his eyes. His smile turned wolfish as he lowered himself before her, his large hands gently inching her knees apart. His tongue traced over her most sensitive flesh, teasing the bundle of nerves that made her gasp.

When he slipped a finger inside her, stroking her inner walls with practiced precision, Elsbeth’s head fell back against the shower wall. His tongue continued its sweet torture while he added a second finger, stretching her deliciously. She curled her fingers into his wet hair, anchoring herself as pleasure built inside her. Her hips circled, seeking more, seeking release.

Then she came, crying out his name as waves of pleasure crashed through her. Philip did not relent, as his mouth and fingers worked in tandem to take her to new heights.

As the aftershocks subsided, Philip rose to his full height, water streaming down his powerful body. He kissed her deeply, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, her breasts crushed against his chest.

Outside, the storm continued to rage, but within these walls, within his arms, Elsbeth had never felt safer.

Chapter Twenty-Two – Philip

We should have trusted our instincts and never left,Philip’s bear said as the storm raged outside. The wind howled like a wounded animal, rattling the windows of the old farmhouse with each gust.

But we trusted them and came back,Philip told his bear, watching raindrops race down the glass panes.

Only just in time,his bear grumbled, the deep voice in his mind tinged with lingering anxiety. The image of Elsbeth struggling alone against the elements still haunted them both.

But Elsbeth had it under control, and she proved to herself she is more than capable of looking after herself and Rose Farm.Philip felt a surge of pride, remembering how she’d already implemented protection measures before he’d even arrived. His brave, resourceful mate.

His bear huffed. Westill should have been here.

We’re here now,Philip said as he watched Elsbeth enter the bedroom, her hair wrapped in a towel, while another covered her body. Pity. The glimpse of her bare shoulders and long legs made him want to see more. Much more.

He went to her, a towel wrapped around his midriff, while the memory of her crying out in pleasure as he kneeled before her in the shower made him harden. “I know of the perfect way to wait out the storm,” he said, as he slipped his hand beneath her towel and rubbed his thumb in a circular motion over her intimate flesh.

“Oh, you do, do you?” she asked breathlessly as he slipped his finger inside her.

“I do,” he reached for her towel, and in one fluid motion, it fell to the floor, revealing her soft curves.

“I haven’t had my morning coffee yet,” she said, biting down on her lower lip, but her eyes had darkened with desire.

In reply, he lowered his head and kissed the tip of her nipple. “Do you think you can wait?” He raised his eyes to look at her, loving the way her breath caught when he touched her.

“A few minutes,” she said as he sucked her nipple into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it. She wrapped her arms around his neck, cradling his head as he grazed his teeth over the taut bud.

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