Page 48 of The Bear's Chosen Mate
But James didn’t have time.Somewhere out there Kaylee needed him, and this was only one step in doing the right thing.
It was time to finish it.James spoke to the crowd in the auditorium again.“I’ll continue working for the company, but in some other role.You see, while up until now I’ve been a son, a grandson, and a brother, I recently added a new title to the list.I want to be able to spend time with my mate, and that requires a change.She’s the most important thing in my world—family is still high on my list, but my Kaylee is at the very top.I can’t wait to see what each day I get to spend with her brings.”
There was a crash to the side of the stage.
James glanced over to discover Kaylee standing beside his brothers.
There were leaves in her hair, the long strands plastered across her face in wet strands.She was naked except for a brightly coloured swatch of fabric wrapped around her body like a toga.
Mud streaked her face, lines of it covering her knees and arms.There was a dark blob clinging to the tip of her nose, but most importantly, she wasthere, staring at him with wonder in her eyes.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
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Kaylee didn’t know her feet were moving at first.Nothing registered except that tug deep inside that said she needed to be next to James.Right.Damn.Now.
Next to the big bear shifter who owned her heart, body, and soul.
It had taken forever to run the distance between her parents’ and the fairgrounds.Three of the rivers she had to cross had been swollen to excess with spring runoff, leaving her an exhausted mess by the time she made it across the distance.
Then once she’d shifted, the only thing she could find to pull on had been the banner hanging across the front gate.Beggars couldn’t be choosers, and she’d ripped it from its moorings, wrapped it around her body and raced for the auditorium in time to hear James give up everything for her.
This wasn’t how she’d planned to notch up her shaky confidence.She was supposed to be perfectly groomed and dressed like a princess, but it didn’t matter.
Noneof that mattered, because James stood in front of her with love in his eyes, his arms outstretched.
Screw it.She didn’t need to impress anyone but him and clearly, he was going to be a sacrificial bastard if she didn’t get a move on.
She paced across the stage, her feet leaving wet prints behind.
His gaze never wavered, but his smile grew broader, and his hand rose to cover his chest, fingers spread wide as if attempting to contain his heart.
There were a million things she could say.There were a million things she should be worried about, but none of them mattered even a fraction as much as the one thing pounding through her brain.
She stopped directly in front of him, staring into his eyes.“I love you, James Borealis.”
He slipped off his suit jacket, sliding it around her shoulders, staying in contact, his touch warm through the layers of fabric.“Convenient, because I love you too.”
Shock waves of joy raced, but it wasn’t enough.Kaylee took a deep breath then stole the microphone from his hand.“Grandpa Giles?”
The old man stood only a few feet to the side, amusement written on every inch of his face.“Yes, darling?”
“I need you to pretend you didn’t hear a word James said during the last five minutes.I mean, remember the part where he loves me, but not the quitting nonsense.”She took a deep breath, braced herself, then turned to look at the crowd.
Shockingly, she saw nothing but darkness, the house lights shining in her eyes.It left her blind in a way, but somehow, she knew that if she could see each individual face in the crowded room, she now had the courage to deal with it.
“Hello, everyone.I assume you’re out there.If I could have your attention, please.I also need you to pretend you didn’t hear that last bit.Of course, James is not stepping down from his role at Borealis Gems.He’s the most wonderful spokesman they could have, and incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the company and the direction it’s going in the future.If any of you have questions or want to arrange publicity events, you’ll want to make an appointment soon before he gets booked up.”
There was a rumble of laughter, disconnected voices, and soft amusement, and yet instead of freaking her out, it felt a little like sharing stories with James in the dark.
Those days so long ago when they used to camp in the backyard, and she’d lie in the tent and he’d lie outside so he could shift to his bear form without messing with zippers.
She hadn’t been able to see him then either, but as they’d stay up late to tell stories and share secrets, she’d always known he was there.Guarding her.Caring for her.
Learning how to love her.
Every bit of their past made it easy to keep going.“You’ll definitely want to make your bookings as soon as possible because part of what he said was right.I hope to be occupying more of his time.You see, James was trying to be gallant for my sake.That’s why he was going to give up the job that he is so perfect for, but it’s my turn to do the right thing.Somehow, I’m going to figure out what needs to be done so I can be by his side and helphim.I know I can do it, because James has told me I can.”
