Page 53 of The Bear's Matchmaking Mix-up Mate
“Now, that is wicked,” he ground out. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
“Oh, I think I do,” she said, her lips pouting.
“If only we had more than an hour to spare,” he replied, cupping her bottom in his hand.
“If only,” she said, her eyes lingering on his lips before moving lower. Then she sighed and turned away. “But we promised my godmother we would make over this garden.”
“And no one breaks a promise to Mrs. Abernathy,” he teased.
“Not unless they want their bear’s skin adorning her living room floor,” Wren said with a laugh. “Come on.”
They stepped outside together, the morning sun warm on their skin. The garden spread before them, wild but full of potential.
Much like the relationship that has grown between us and our mate,his bear said happily.
Finn chuckled as he surveyed the space, mentally cataloging what could stay, what should go, and where new plantings might thrive. His bear had opinions, too, preferring more shade trees and privacy from neighbors.
We should have a secluded corner,his bear suggested.Somewhere private to hold her when the moon is high.
“What are you thinking?” Wren asked, touching his arm lightly. “You look faraway.”
Finn turned to her, surprised by how easily she now read his moods. “I was talking to my bear.”
“About me?” she asked, a knowing smile playing at her lips.
He gave her a lopsided grin, warmth spreading through his veins at her understanding. “Who else? You’re the center of our world.”
She smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re becoming the center of mine, too.”
The simple admission hit him harder than any passionate declaration could have. Finn pulled her close, kissing her with all the tenderness he felt, trying to pour his gratitude into the press of his lips against hers. When they parted, he kept his arms around her, savoring the way she fit against him.
Wren eventually pulled away, gesturing to the garden around them. “So, what are your ideas for this space? Mrs. Abernathy mentioned you’re a genius with difficult plots.”
Finn looked around again, but his mind had shifted to a different kind of future. He caught her hand, the words forming before he could second-guess them.
“Will you move in with me?”
Her eyes widened, and she touched her fingers to her pendant. Her gaze drifted to Rowan Cottage, the sanctuary that had sheltered her when she’d needed it most. For a moment, Finn’s heart ached with uncertainty.
Then she looked back at him, and the answer was in her eyes before she spoke. “Yes,” she said simply.
Relief and joy flooded through him, so intense it was almost dizzying. “I’ve been thinking about converting the sunroom into a music studio for you,” he said, the plans he’d been sketching in secret for weeks tumbling out. “The acoustics would be perfect with a few adjustments, and the light is beautiful all day long. And the bedroom has plenty of space for both our clothes, and…”
“You’ve got this all planned already?” she interrupted, surprise and something like wonder in her voice.
Heat rose in his cheeks. He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly self-conscious. “I’ve thought about nothing else sincewe met,” he admitted. “I want you to be part of my life, Wren. All of it.”
She stepped closer, rising on tiptoe to press a soft kiss to his lips. “I want that, too,” she whispered against his mouth.
His bear rumbled with satisfaction, a contented warmth spreading through his chest.This is so right,his bear insisted.This is how it should be.
“But I want to create a beautiful garden here.” He gestured to the garden around them, the morning light dappling through the trees. “I’m so grateful for Rowan Cottage, and especially for Mrs. Abernathy. If she hadn’t brought you to Bear Creek...” His voice trailed off, unable to imagine that alternate reality.
“If I hadn’t come here. I think we would have found each other some other way,” she murmured. “We are fated mates, after all.”
“I want this garden to be as perfect as you,” he said softly, cupping her face in his hand. “It’s the least I can do, after all this place has given me.”
Wren leaned into his touch, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “Bear Creek has given me so much, too,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “When I came here, I was just looking for somewhere to hide. I never expected to find...belonging.”
