They lingered under the covers, James forgetting what time even meant as they traded whispered secrets and slow, unhurried kisses. His usual morning routine abandoned completely. His bear was perfectly content just existing in herorbit. The spell broke when his stomach let out a betraying roar that sounded almost as feral as his other half.
“Was that your bear or your belly?” she teased.
“That was all me,” James replied.
“I should feed you,” she said, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest.
“I’m the host,” he protested. “I should be the one offering breakfast.”
She sat up, the sheet falling to her waist. James swallowed hard at the sight of her, sleep-rumpled and beautiful in the morning light.
Doreen glanced around the room, clearly searching for her clothes from last night. Before she could slip away to retrieve them, James reached across to his dresser, pulling out a well-worn blue flannel.
“Here,” he said, offering it with a half-smile. “It’ll be huge on you, but...”
She took it with a grateful nod, their fingers brushing in the exchange.
The sight of her in his clothes hit him with unexpected force. The shirt was too big, of course, hanging past her thighs, the sleeves rolled up several times. But something primal and possessive flared inside him, seeing her wrapped in fabric that smelled like him, that marked her as his in some ancient, instinctual way.
His bear practically purred.She wears our scent.
Downstairs, they fell into an easy rhythm, navigating the kitchen like they’d choreographed it beforehand. James measured coffee grounds while Doreen rummaged through his cabinets for bread.
James reached around her to grab two mugs from the cabinet, his chest pressing against her back for a brief, delicious moment.
“Coffee’s almost ready,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
When Doreen bent to retrieve the butter from the refrigerator, he stepped behind her, hands settling on her hips. His lips found the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, and she shivered at the contact.
“Next time,” he whispered against her skin, “I’ll make you a proper breakfast. Eggs, bacon, the works.”
She straightened, leaning back against his solid warmth. “Next time?”
James chuckled, the sound vibrating through her. “Oh, there are going to be lots of other times. Many, many more mornings just like this one.”
Turning in his arms, Doreen raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you sure of yourself, Deputy Pike?”
His expression grew serious, eyes darkening as they held hers. “Yes,” he said simply, without hesitation.
“Toast is ready,” she said hoarsely.
“Do you take sugar?” he asked in a sultry tone.
“Just a little,” she purred.
He groaned. “You’re making it almost impossible to keep my hands off you.”
“Do you want to keep your hands off me?” she asked innocently.
“No,” he replied. Then his eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. “But you have to pick Jake up soon, and we have to drive to town for your car.”
“Oh, goodness.” She turned and looked at the clock. “Do we have time for coffee and toast?”
“We do.” He nodded. “Now, sit.”
They settled at his small kitchen table, sunlight spilling across the familiar, worn wood. James couldn’t stop watching her. The way she blew gently on her coffee before sipping it, the small sound of appreciation she made when she tasted it, the unconscious way she tucked her hair behind her ear.
This. This is the life we’ve been waiting for,his bear whispered.
