She’d done it. She’d destroyed her credibility to protect Bear Cove.
My throat closed. This brilliant, brave woman had sacrificed everything, tarnishing her reputation and possibly ending hercareer because she loved me. Because she refused to let Rupert Henry use her work to destroy my brothers.
I eased the laptop shut and gathered her into my arms. She stirred as I lifted her, her head rolling gently against my chest.
“Beck?” Her voice was thick with sleep.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart.”
I carried her to the bed and settled her against the pillows. She blinked up at me, eyes unfocused without her glasses. I sat beside her and stroked the hair back from her face, savoring the glide of the silky strands against my fingers.
“I love you,” I murmured, even though the words were inadequate. How could I ever possibly repay her for what she’d done? “I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret this.”
Her brown eyes focused on mine. “I love you, too.”
We stared at each other. Heat kindled low in my gut and promptly spread through my limbs.It will always be this way,my instincts whispered. Because she was my true mate. Some benevolent force in the universe had built Charlotte Mills just for me. We were meant for each other, the gap in our ages be damned.
She licked her lips, and lust thickened the air. Heavy and charged, it wrapped a phantom fist around my cock and squeezed.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” I said, hearing my bear in my voice.
A soft, shy smile curved her lips. “I want that, too. But I don’t want to ruin your dinner.”
I pressed my thumb to her plump bottom lip, easing just deep enough into her mouth to feel her hot little tongue against my skin. “I’ll make you a new one.”
Her pupils dilated, her breath hitching.
“I have a confession,” I said.
A line formed between her auburn brows. “What is it?”
“I want to do a lot more than kiss you.”
Her smile was like Christmas and my birthday wrapped up in a big bow. “You’re in luck because our wants are aligned.”
I stood and stripped off my shirt, then my jeans. Charlotte sat up and reached for the hem of her sweater. I helped her pull it over her head, then made quick work of her bra. She lifted her hips so I could slide off her leggings and panties.
The sweet scent of her arousal soaked the air, and my bear rumbled with satisfaction. I settled between her thighs and slid my hands over her skin, stroking everywhere because she was perfect and I couldn’t get enough.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered against her collarbone. “I want to feel you. No barriers between us.” I lifted my head so I could look her in the eye. “No condom, but only if you want that, too.”
“I want it.”
My bear roared, eager to claim her.Not yet,I told it. Charlotte was a feast, and I wasn’t skipping any part of her. Lowering my head, I sucked at the sweet line of her jaw.
She threaded her fingers through my hair, tugging as she squirmed beneath me. “Beck, please,” she gasped, her voice breathless and needy.
I took my time, kissing my way down her neck to her breasts. When I circled one tight, pink nipple with my tongue, she arched against me, her moan sounding wrenched from her soul. My bear stirred under my skin, and I lavished attention on each breast, sucking and biting until I’d soaked each straining peak.
“Beck!” Charlotte cried, squirming harder. She spread her legs wide and thrust her hips, grinding her pussy into my cock. Searing me with her heat.
“Patience, baby,” I rasped even as mine deserted me. I made my way down her quivering stomach, dropping little kissesbefore pausing to nuzzle the soft, rounded spot below her navel. The place where my cubs would grow one day. My bear growled, and the sound rumbled in my throat, possessiveness rising with my lust.
Charlotte tugged harder on my hair. “Beck,” she pleaded. “You stubborn, maddening bear. Stop teasing me and give me what I need.”
I smiled against her skin. “I know what you need.” And it was damn convenient because I needed it, too.
I moved lower, parting her folds with my thumbs to expose her glistening center. She was so wet for me, arousal pooling at her entrance and smearing the insides of her thighs. Groaning, I licked a long stripe from her opening to her clit before sucking the little bud into my mouth.
