Boarlander Bash Bear 2(20)
“This is all I’ve wanted for so long, but then I met you, and you’re nice and good to me and perfect. I don’t want some stranger’s baby. I want a family, and I’d convinced myself a baby was all I could have, but you make me want more. You make me want everything.”
“But…I can’t give you smart babies, Emerson.”
“Bash,” she said, cupping his cheeks. “You’re so smart. You’re so good. You will make a wonderful father someday. I like everything about you.”
Bash leaned into her palm and ducked his gaze. “I ain’t smart like that donor. Not book smart.”
“So? I’m not creative, and I suck at public speaking. Everyone has stuff they have to work harder at than other things, and that’s okay. To me, you’re great.”
Bash backed out of her touch and paced the concrete the length of his truck, running his hands through his hair. “So you’re waiting on a baby.”
“Yes.”
He scratched his head and looked at the box in the back seat of his truck, then went back to pacing. “So I can pick you still?”
“Yes.”
“Emerson, I planned a baby party,” he rushed out. “I was going to take you back up to my trailer park and we’re grillin’ steaks and going swimming in the falls, and I made a Happy Baby Making Day banner, but there ain’t no baby.”
She let off a happy laugh at how thoughtful he was. “Not yet.”
“Woman, what does that even mean? You’re mixing up my head.”
She huffed an emotional laugh and slid out of the truck, then hugged his waist to keep him from pacing again. “You want to date me?”
“Date you,” he murmured. His heartbeat was pounding hard and fast against her cheek. “No, I want to mate you. Wife you. Fuck, I don’t know what it’s called. I pick you.”
“Well, I’m picking you back.”
Bash eased out of her hug, head hung low, shaking it back and forth, his eyes locked on hers and blazing bright moss green. “Don’t tease me with that.”
“I’m not. I pick you, Bash. You’re mine and I’m yours, and someday when we’re good and ready, maybe we’ll have a cub of our own. One who has a good heart like you and my wild hair, who knows? All I know is I don’t want to do this alone anymore, Bash. I want to try with you.” She gave him a slow, happy smile as everything in her world felt good and right again. “I pick us.”
Chapter Eight
“Are you sure your alpha will be okay with me staying the night?”
Bash stopped humming along with the radio and turned the wheel with one hand until they were off the main road and driving along a washed-out, gravel lane. “Harrison? He’ll be fine with it. It’s Clinton we gotta worry about.”
“Well, if Clinton has a problem with it, I can go back to Saratoga tonight. I don’t mind. I really don’t want to make any of your crew uncomfortable.”
Bash grinned and gave her a boyish shrug. “You’re mine. They have to get used to you. Besides, I’ll be there, and Clinton is no match for my bear right now, plus Audrey is a freaking tiger shifter and she gets real protective. She’s been lonely and achin’ for a girlfriend up here.”
“Even though I’m human?”
Bash laughed and shook his head like she was silly. “That don’t make no difference. Gia is mated to the Gray Backs’ alpha, Creed, and she is one-hundred percent human. She’s raising a brawny little cub and nobody treats her any different. Except I remember to be more gentle when I hug her so I don’t squish her like a blueberry. But other than that, she’s just one of us.”
A smile cracked Emerson’s face. She liked the sound of that—being a part of something. Oh sure, she had a good job and a happy life, but she had been lonely since she’d moved back to Saratoga. She’d thought she would spend a lot of time with Amanda and her family, but her sister was busy with her life, and Emerson hadn’t fit back into this place like she’d hoped.
“I’m excited but also a little scared to meet your crew. I’m scared of animals bigger than Chihuahuas.”
Bash snorted. “You’ll have to get over that fear, and quick.” He leaned forward and gave a two fingered wave at something in the woods.
Emerson followed his gaze and gasped. A massive silverback gorilla moved slowly through the trees, walking gracefully on powerful arms and legs. The animal watched them pass with aloof eyes that glowed a strange blue color. He nodded his chin once, then turned back into the woods.
“That’s Kirk. I think he’s going to be my second best friend.”