She stilled her fingers. “Why?”
“Because she wasn’t the right person for me. If she’d stayed, I wouldn’t have met you.” I turned my face into her hand, inhaling her sweet scent. “I would endure a thousand heartbreaks if it meant ending up with you.”
Charlotte caught my jaw, and her brown eyes were serious as she forced my attention back to hers. “Beck, I need you to understand something. I’m happy I’m compatible with you. But I need you to want me for me, not because science says we’re a good match.”
“Idowant you for you.”
“Prove it.”
I pulled her to her feet and tucked a finger under her chin. “Charlotte Mills, you are smart, beautiful, and absolutely maddening. You ask too many questions. You challenge me every chance you get, and I can already tell you don’t care one bit that you’re breaking our laws every time you argue with me.”
Her lips parted.
“I like that, by the way,” I added. “You’re also kind, curious, and brave as hell. I love how your mind works, how you get excited about data, how you bite your lip when you’re thinking. I love your determination and your vulnerability. I love that you don’t treat me like I’m old or boring. I love that you never talk down to me even though you’re twice as intelligent.”
She frowned. “I’m not twice as?—”
“I want you,” I interrupted, cupping her face in my hands. “I would want you even if you weren’t compatible. Even if we could never have children. Even if being with you meant breaking every rule I’ve sworn to uphold. I want you even though society says I shouldn’t. You’re not my mate because of biology, Charlotte. You’re my mate because my soul recognized yours.”
Tears swam in her eyes. “That was a really good answer,” she said in a shaky voice.
“It’s the truth.”
Her pupils dilated, and the scent of her arousal filled the air between us.
“I want you,” I said, my voice like gravel. “In every way. Right fucking now.”
She sucked in a breath. The heady fragrance of her desire thickened.
“Then have me,” she rasped.
The last of my reservations turned to ash.
I swept her into my arms and carried her through the house, taking the stairs two at a time. She clung to my neck, her breath warm against my throat as I kicked open the door to my bedroom.
The space was simple. I’d never seen a reason to decorate beyond the essentials. But my bed was custom-made by craftsmen in Anchorage who built furniture for people my size. The frame was oversize and sturdy, the posts the size of small tree trunks. An equally oversized chair sat beneath the window, and a thick, forest-green comforter spread over the bed. Handmade bookshelves rose to the ceiling.
I didn’t see any of it as I settled Charlotte on the bed.
No, I only saw her as I stepped back and drank in her flushed cheeks and red hair. Her perfect skin and pink lips. The way her breasts rose and fell, the swells thrusting against her shirt. Shesat with her weight braced on her palms behind her, and her eyes were like melted chocolate as she stared up at me.
“You’re beautiful,” I said.
Her lush lips curved. “So are you.”
My bear preened at that, pleased our mate found us attractive. Her glasses had slipped slightly during the journey upstairs. I reached down and removed them, folding them carefully before setting them on the nightstand. When I turned back to Charlotte, she watched me with a rapt expression, her breasts rising and falling more rapidly.
Bending, I ran my hands up her thighs before grasping the hem of her sweater.
She shivered and then raised her arms, letting me pull it off and toss it away. The sight of her pink, lacy bra put a groan in my throat. Her breasts rose above the cups like creamy desserts, tiny golden freckles dotting her skin like the sun itself had fallen under her spell and decided to leave its mark.
Suddenly, I needed to leave mine. The growl in my throat broke free as I pushed her onto her back and stripped off her jeans. Her pink panties followed, and then she was gloriously nude before me, her sweet stomach going concave as she drew shuddering breaths.
A tiny patch of red curls perched above her pussy, which glistened with arousal. Her clit thrust from between her plump folds. I dragged my gaze up and found her watching me, her round tits heaving. Slowly, she spread her legs, revealing her wet, pink center. Her opening and her tiny, puckered asshole, which was just as pretty as her pussy.
Mine.
All of it fuckingmine.
