RANCHER BEAR’S BABY(64)

“You were so scared at first. You kept running away from me.”

“Yeah, well, no one ever said I was brilliant.”

I took a deep breath. “Are you going to continue to run?”

“I don’t think that’s an option anymore.”



*



We laid like that for a while, in the woods at twilight, listening to the sounds of nature, our naked bodies warming one another against the chill. We were both lost in our own thoughts, each processing what all of this meant. It was peaceful and comforting to be lying next to him and I needed that while trying to figure everything out. He was my mate. He was a bear. He’d marked me with a bite that meant he’d claimed me as his. I squeezed my eyes shut and took deep breaths. My body got it. My body was all kinds of on board. My brain was the hold up. As much of a connection as I felt towards him, I didn’t know what to think about all of this. I was tied to him forever, if what he was saying was true. Had we just more or less gotten married?

It was overwhelming, but with his arms wrapped around me, everything felt right. The world made sense. For the moment.

Eventually, we stood up and got dressed. Michael shot me heated looks the whole time I clumsily slipped into my dress, trying not to let on that I was aware of his ogling. I still wanted him. Despite the aches in my body, I craved him.

He walked me back to my car and I handed him the chicken and dumplings while trying to avoid his brother’s stares. I didn’t feel awkward being with Michael, but I felt awkward thinking that his brothers could’ve heard us. And knowing they were bears too, probably.

“Thanks. It smelled delicious earlier.”

I leaned against my car and sighed. “I’m confused.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and then put the food down on the roof of my car before leaning in close to me. “I know.”

I noticed the air change around us and felt his brothers drifting closer. I looked around and watched as they each approached slowly with worry in their eyes. When I looked back up at Michael, I noticed his eyes had changed. “Your brothers are worried about you.”

He shook his head. “They’re worried about you. They don’t trust me.”

I heard the pain in his voice, even though he tried to sound flippant. It made me angry to see him hurting. I glared at each of his brothers, who were still drifting closer. “We’re fine. We don’t need a bunch of babysitters. Go on back to your chores and leave us be.”

Michael rubbed his nose into my throat and chuckled. “You’re fighting for me, now?”

I pushed him away and opened my car door. “It would seem so. I’m going home. I’ve got work in the morning.”

He held the door and leaned in after I was seated. “I left my hat at your place.”

I closed my eyes and thought of him being in my house again. There was no way he would just be retrieving his hat and leaving if he came over. No way. I looked up at him and blew out a breath. I fought back a grin that tried desperately to pop itself out onto my face. “I guess you should come on by and grab it then.”

His smile was overwhelmingly charming. “See you, soon.”

I pulled the door shut and drove back to my house, butterflies in my stomach knowing he’d soon be following. I was also trying to ignore the very real ache that grew in my chest proportionately with the increased space I put between us. It didn’t make any sense. None of it made any sense. Yet, it did.





CHAPTER 8: Michael




I woke up early the next day, in Daisy’s bed. Everything was frilly. Her pillows had pillows, all of them ruffled in pink and white fabric so soft that I couldn’t help but rub my beard over it. I stretched my legs out and sighed when my ankles and feet hung off the bed. I’d have to buy her a bigger bed.

I could hear her shuffling around in the bathroom and the whole scene felt comfortable. I’d heard stories about the mating bond for ages, but I never realized how instantaneous it would be. I felt like I’d been doing this same thing with Daisy for years. Her and I just felt right. Something about her soothed me, and I hadn’t hurt her. My bear had just wanted to claim her and after we had, he’d been silent.

I sat up and leaned against her headboard, waiting for her to come out. If I was lucky, I’d get a quickie before she left for work.

Only, when she came out, she looked pale and sick. She spotted me and groaned. “Don’t look at me.”

I was at her side in an instant. “What’s wrong?”

She rubbed her stomach absently. “I just feel so nauseous. I can’t remember ever feeling this sick to my stomach. Ever.”

“Was it the dumplings?”