He sees me shudder. “This is rough country, sugar. Everyone has a rifle just in case of a rabid bear, or a wild boar, or a pack of coyotes.” He raises an eyebrow. “People say Bigfoot is apparently spotted every couple of years, too.”
“How often have you had to fire it?”
“Never.” He gives my hand a quick squeeze. “It’s just part of being safe. We go for target practice a few times a year to stay sharp. That’s it.” Bear sips his coffee, then leans back. “The animals leave us alone. Better behaved than some people, I reckon.”
I look over, studying his face. Incredibly handsome, and rougher than I would have thought I’d be attracted to. He doesn’t look like a tough guy, but like a guy who was built to be tough, if that makes sense. Honestly, there's something about him that feels timeless. As old as the mountain.
"Any particular reason you’re staring?" His head swivels toward me.
"Just enjoying the view," I wink.
A deep shudder runs through me when he squeezes my knee. I love that he’s touching me more easily, without overthinking it. I love that we’re becoming more comfortable together. Although it’s not exactly comfortable that my pulse races whenever we’re close.
The man simply takes my breath away. If every small touch is an exciting thrill, what’s going to happen if we….whenwe… I’m already looking forward to tonight.
Bear chugs the rest of his coffee. “Well, if this is your vacation, we need to get you on a hike. Let’s go see if your shoes are dry.”
An hour later, I feel transformed. I’ve always loved the outdoors, and being encompassed by the forest. We reach a lookout over a slight valley, and his hand flies up in a silent command for me to stop. I obey, then follow his finger to see a brilliant blue bird flitting from tree to tree very near to us.
“Indigo bunting,” he murmurs, wrapping an arm around me. “And look.” He points off in the distance to a shape that’s swooping closer.
“Is that an eagle?” I breathe.
“Peregrine falcon. He won’t dive right into the lake, but he’ll look for dinner all around it.”
I watch in fascination as the bird circles and dips, surveying the area. “Wow.” Looking up, I catch Bear staring at me. “Hey. You’re missing all the important nature, mister.”
“Not at all.” His hands capture my waist, then he turns, pulling my body to his. I love the way he moves me anywhere he wants, while always watching me to make sure I’m okay with it. I could get used to this feeling of being so perfectly cared for.
Bear cradles the back of my head in his palm as he tips my mouth to meet his. This kiss is possessive. Claiming. Almost rough, as he feasts on my lips, his deep groan vibrating through both of us.
My entire body clings to his. His hand drops to grip my ass firmly, then I let out a surprised cry as he spins, hoisting me higher and pinning my back against a tree. My legs wrap around him. I guess craning down to kiss me probably isn’t very comfortable for such a tall guy.
“So sexy,” he murmurs, tilting my head, kissing along my neck and under my ear. “Sweet and sexy and… Dammit, sugar, you’re making me need you so badly.”
I’m already nodding. “Me too.”
The next kiss takes my breath away. His mouth devours mine with a hunger that sends fireworks shooting up my spine. He grips me firmly, shifting me another two inches higher up the tree before pressing himself between my open thighs.
Oh…
He growls at my full body shudder from the pressure of his erection against my pussy. Even through his jeans and mine, I can feel his heat. His urgency.
It’s clear Bear has been alone for a long time. I can sense his desire to do everything that animals do in the woods.
That’s exactly what I want, too. To feel him let go and take me. Bury himself inside me. My thighs tighten, clenching. My hips shift, my entire body squirming against his. He groans deeply, and his tongue invades my mouth.
The cool forest now feels like a steamy jungle. I want to tell him that it’s fine to lay me down, rip my clothes off, and do whatever he wants, but how? I don’t want to seem needy, but the reality is, we both are.
My fingers pull his head closer, encouraging him to kiss me even deeper. A moan shudders through me when I feel his hand against my bare breast. How did I not notice it sneaking under my shirt? A tornado of feelings hits me from every direction, and I moan again as his thumb scrapes against my nipple, sending sparks along a highway of nerve endings that leads directly between my legs, where warm, firm pressure is growing.
Even though we’re fully clothed, I feel naked. Raw. Like every barrier is dropping. For what feels like a solid minute he grinds against me, squeezing my breast firmly until I’m positive that we’re about to slide down to the forest floor together.
Then he freezes and gently eases me down the tree, stopping things before they could go too far.No such thing.
His eyes blaze as he stares into mine. “You’re out here all alone with me. Maybe that’s…not right.”
“Really? It feels right to me.”
