Page 47 of The Bear's Perfect Mate
“I never thought,” he began, then shook his head. “I hoped, but I never truly believed you would accept me. All of me. So completely.”
Sophie touched his face, tracing the strong line of his jaw. “I think I’ve been yours since the moment you fell at my feet with that ring box,” she admitted. “I just didn’t understand it until now.”
A smile spread across Nero’s face, lighting his eyes with joy. “My clumsy proposal turned out to be the best accident of my life.”
“It wasn’t an accident,” Sophie said with sudden certainty. “It was fate.”
Chapter Seventeen – Nero
Nero lay with his eyes closed, listening to the sound of his mate’s breathing. His mate. A smile spread across his face.She is incredible, his bear said happily, relieved that Sophie had accepted. He still dreamed of the feel of her fingers through his bear’s fur. Of her lips on his forehead.
“Are you staring at me?” Sophie asked, raising her head from the pillow and looking at him.
“I might be,” he said, and half-turned, kissing her lips.
She nestled closer to him. “This feels like a dream,” she murmured.
He cupped her face in his hand. “I know.”
Sophie inched her head back. “It was real. You turned into a bear, didn’t you?”
Nero was tempted to sayno. She had imagined the whole thing, but his bear gave a warning growl. “I did,” he assured her.
Sophie lay back on the pillow and covered her face with her arm. “I should be more shocked.”
“I’m glad you are not,” Nero said.
“And did I really agree to design a menu for the vineyard restaurant?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Yes, you did.”
She groaned and rolled away from him. “I need to get started on the recipes. I’ll need to gather up the ingredients I need and start testing the recipes. There isn’t much time.”
Nero sat up in bed. “I have an idea. There’s a farmers’ market in Bear Bluff today. Why don’t we head over there?”
She looked at him. “Can you spare the time? I feel I am monopolizing you.”
“Monopolize away,” he said, kissing her shoulder and threading an arm around her body to cup her breast in his hand. He tweaked her nipple, rolling it between his thumb and finger.
“That is not helping,” she said, as she bit down on her bottom lip.
“Do you want me to stop?” he murmured as he slid across the bed and kissed the tip of her other nipple before flicking his tongue over the sensitive bud.
“No,” she gasped and pushed Nero onto his back before straddling him, her thighs cradling his hips as she positioned herself above him. Her hair fell in a curtain around her face, catching the early morning light that filtered through the windows.
“Let me,” she whispered, taking control as she curled her hand around his hardness.
Nero gazed up at her, mesmerized by the sight of her naked body poised above his. She was magnificent. All soft curves and warm skin flushed with desire. His hands moved to her waist, steadying her as she slowly lowered herself onto him.
They both gasped as their bodies joined. Sophie’s eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting slightly as she took him in completely. For a moment, she remained still, adjusting to the sensation of fullness.
“You feel perfect,” Nero murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Sophie began to move, a slow, deliberate rhythm that made Nero’s breath catch. Her hands rested on his chest as she rose and fell above him, her body undulating like waves against a shore. He watched her face transform with pleasure,memorizing every expression, every soft sound that escaped her lips.
He reached out and cupped her breasts, his thumbs grazing across her nipples. Sophie arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping her. Nero lifted himself slightly, capturing one peaked nipple between his lips, suckling gently as she continued to rock against him.
“Nero,” she breathed, her movements becoming more urgent.
