Page 42 of The Bear's Fated Mate
The smile stayed, but the light in his eyes faded slightly. “You just got a bigger room, and a bigger bed. Seems a silly time to kick me out.”
Oh God, this was going to be torture.
She tried again, but before she could get out more than a few fumbling words, Alex caught her by the hand and tugged her across the room to the couch that faced the wall of windows.
The sun had set a long time ago, but there were twinkling lights dancing along the water. Along the fence, a dozen hooks were arranged for pack members to leave their clothes, and even now, parts of her family were happily walking out and shifting to fur to run and hunt and enjoy life.
Howling rose on the air, happiness in the tone. It was the sound of a contented pack that knew they had a powerful Alpha in charge who cared for them and wanted their best.
God, it was the most wonderful moment of her life, and yet inside she was dying.
She needed her mate.
His big, beautiful head slipped between her and the scenery. Dark eyes examined her carefully. “I have something I want to tell you, and I need you to listen to all of it before you interrupt.”
“That bad?Interesting…”
He snorted so hard he choked. Lara had to pat him on the back until he calmed down.
“On the list of things to talk about later, your Auntie Amethyst is a real number.”
“She really is.”
Alex caught Lara’s fingers in his, staring at her hand as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her knuckles. “When I tracked you down because I had the mating fever, I swore the commitment was for the week and nothing more. I will stick to that promise because it’s the right thing to do, and I know you’re busy adjusting to being the new Alpha. I figured I should give you some time before I change anything up. I figured I would give you a couple of months before I asked you on a date, but then my bear had a different opinion—”
Oh my God. If she’d been able to suggest a solution, this would’ve been it. Lara pressed her fingers over his mouth to stop the words spewing out in a rapid stream. “You want to us to date? Starting in a couple of months?”
“Ithought a couple of months, but my bear thinks we should start tomorrow. Hell, he kinda figured we should just keep on this instant, but I was trying to tell you that—”
Lara’s wolf had perked up to full attention.His bear is smart. Listen to bear. Let’s do this now.
Quiet, please,Lara said quickly.Human side is in charge of timing, although I agree with you.
Alex took a deep breath and squared his shoulders as if he were headed into battle. “Lara, I don’t want to freak you out, and this isn’t because of the mating fever, but damn, you’re one hell of a woman. You’re kind and considerate, and you can kick ass. Hell, you can kickmyass. I went into our time together impressed with you on one level, and I’ve come out the other end not sure how I can survive without you.”
Words were slow to come. Her heart pounded so hard her entire body vibrated, and the power that she’d expended earlier in the day was like a tiny mote of dust compared to the pressure building inside her heart. “Me too. I mean, the way I feel about you changed over the past weeks. I’ve admired you, and I’ve wanted you, but now there’s more to it. More layers. And it’s not just because fate said it should be.”
Alex breathed a sigh of relief. He dipped his chin firmly. “Then in a couple of weeks we can start dating.”
Sweet, innocent, silly bear. Now that her wolf had gotten even an inkling that he was interested, he wasn’t getting his furry butt out of her clutches. “Nope. Your timing sucks.”
His eyes flared open. “Okay, then. A couple of months—”
She slid off the couch and landed in his lap, legs on either side of his hips. Her hands went to the top buttons of his shirt. “Your bear had the right idea. Not next week, not tomorrow, but now.”
“Really?” Big hands grabbed her hips and held on as if he was never going to let go. “Oh, hellyeah.”
She leaned forward to tell him the rest, but his lips caressed hers, soft and gentle. Ghosting smoothly with a tease that promised so much more.
He rose to his feet, still kissing her as he manoeuvred to the king-size bed. His shirt fell off his shoulders as she pushed it away, hands reaching down to work the button and zipper on his jeans.
Alex’s hands were there as well, helping remove her clothing and tossing garments aside until he could crawl over her on the mattress, naked skin to naked skin.
He stopped, staring down at her, his dark eyes twinkling in the low light from the bedside table. He ran his fingers through her hair, spreading it out on the dark burgundy pillow. Then he shook his head, all muscles and firm strength pressed up against her gently, as if she were delicate.
“I was going to wait, but maybe my bear is right about this part as well.”
His eyes—
