Page 40 of Mated to the Mountain Bear
Jerry sighs contentedly, drooling a little on my borrowed sweatpants, but I don’t mind. I’m much more concerned about the highly inappropriate crush, borderline obsession, I’ve developed on my reluctant hero while dreading the idea of going home to my empty apartment and nonexistent life.
And what I’m going to do if Beau can’t find the man who’s hunting me.
13
BEN
The cabin feels too small. It’s felt that way since she arrived, but this afternoon, it’s suffocating.
And so, I’m staying outside, away from her scent and away from the temptation to do something idiotic.
Like throw caution to the wind and get lost in my mate.
The afternoon sun is warm despite the mountain altitude. I head straight for the woodpile, already shrugging out of my shirt and hanging it on a nearby branch.
The familiar weight of the axe feels good in my hands. Necessary. I’m ready to burn off some energy in a far healthier way than my bear is suggesting every time he sees Zara in my clothes, especially now that we know what’s underneath.
Absolute fucking perfection.
I set the first log and swing. The rhythmic crack of splitting wood echoes through the clearing, disturbing a few birds in nearby trees.
As time goes on, I continue splitting log after log, with more force than necessary. Sweat drips down my back, soaking the waistband of my jeans.
I’ll have enough firewood to last two winters at this rate, but I need the physical outlet. Clearly, if last night was anything to go by.
I need something to do with my hands that isn’t touching her. Or myself.
She’s made herself comfortable on the porch with Jerry whose legs are curled under her in a way that makes her look even smaller. Her long hair moves with each breath of wind, and she smiles as she scratches my dog behind the ear.
The smug son of a bitch is enjoying every second of her attention. Jerry’s got his massive head in her lap, shameless in his affection. His tail sweeps lazily across the weathered porch boards, and I swear, he looks right at me, opening one eye in victory, staring me down.
I’m not sure if there’s anything more pathetic than being jealous of your own dog, but here I am.
And my perverted mind can’t stop thinking about her curves under my shirt, and her skin. Soft skin that was rosy and golden as she stood in my tub, slippery and wet, and so fucking gorgeous, that it made my teeth hurt.
With a curse, I drag my eyes away and focus on what I’m doing.
I’m not looking at her again,I tell myself. I’m not noticing how she bites her lip when I bring the axe down. Just like I’m not aware of how her eyes follow the movement, tracking the flex of my muscles, and the swing of the blade through the air.
Or how she called ithotwhen she was whispering to Jerry just now, thinking she’s well out of earshot. For a human, yes, but not for a shifter like me with enhanced hearing.
My bear doesn’t think she’s whispering to Jerry, he thinks she’s teasing me. And he’s loving every second.
“Is it always like this?” she asks Jerry, leaning close, her full lips practically brushing his ear as she speaks, her fingersdigging into the thick coat behind his ears. “Does he always work this hard?”
Jerry vocalises loudly in response, tail thumping against the wooden boards with a steady rhythm.
“That’s what I thought. Very intense. The strong silent type.” She shifts on the step, adjusting positions, but cradles his head so as not to disturb him.
“Maybe tall, dark, and grumpy works better for him.”
I bring the axe down harder.Crack.Another log splits clean through, the pieces falling to either side of the chopping block.
“Those arms though,” she murmurs, then I see her straighten from the corner of my eye, her hand stilling on Jerry’s fur, afraid I might have heard. Reassured now that I’m too far away, and I would be if I were a mere human, she clears her throat and continues. “I mean, it’s very impressive. The wood chopping. Very... hot.”
My bear preens. She likes our strength.
“Is it weird that I love all the sweat? It makes me want to lick him. I bet he tastes all manly, too.”
