Page 25 of Bear Boss’s Mate (Pleasantville Shifter #1)

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arcy enjoyed herself

at the Christmas party a lot more than she thought she would, except for the part where she saw Austin and Sheila outside talking. For a moment, her stomach did flip-flops. She wondered if Austin had slept with her in the past? The idea was quickly dismissed when she saw the look on Austin’s face.

Inside, she was leaping for joy at the turn her life had taken.

She’d had several weeks to get used to being Austin’s mate and lover.

The sex was mind-blowing, which didn’t hurt one bit.

Along with the way he made her body sing, she’d also noticed that when she was around him, her anxiety never reared its head.

When he’d asked her to move in with him permanently, she was ecstatic.

He’d hired helpers to pack up her apartment and brought everything to his beautiful home. Now it was their home. Neither of them had said the love word yet, but his actions showed her how much he cared. She was sure he loved her, but a part of her was reluctant to be the first to say it.

WHEN THEY GOT HOME from the party, Austin turned to her. “Have a seat in the living room. I’ll be right in.”

She narrowed her eyes, giving him an amused grin. “What are you up to?”

The edges of his mouth curled. “Just trust me. I’ll be right back.”

“I do trust you,” she said, taking a seat. After putting on some soft music, he returned to stand in front of her. “You’re in a romantic mood this evening,” Marcy teased.

Austin’s amber eyes twinkled back at her. With one hand in his jacket pocket, he bent down on one knee. Marcy’s hand flew to her lips as her eyes moistened.

Austin’s eyes were locked onto hers and filled with love.

“I’ve been waiting my entire life to find you.

” His voice was deep. He withdrew a blue velvet box from his pocket.

“You mean everything to me. I can’t remember my life before you, and I can’t imagine it without you now. I love you, Marcy. Will you marry me?”

Lifting the lid off the box, he presented her with the most stunning ring she had ever seen, a two-carat diamond with a deep blue sapphire on each side.

Marcy’s eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered. She stood to hug him tightly, then leaning back she pulled his face to hers, kissing him.

Austin stood up straight while Marcy placed her hands on his chest. “I love you, too. More than anything. Of course, I’ll marry you,” she beamed.

He removed the ring from the box and placed it on her finger.

Her heart soared with joy. “This night is perfect. You’re wonderful.

” Marcy reached to put her arms around Austin’s neck.

Austin gave her a sexy grin. “It’s about to get even better.” He put one hand to the back of her neck, and with the other, smoothed her hair.

Marcy’s pulse raced as he pressed his lips to hers in a long, sensuous kiss filled with promise. When they came up for air, she grinned. “How did I get so lucky?” He was the perfect mate. She would never want for anything, as long as they were together.

Austin put a hand to her cheek, then smoothed his thumb along her bottom lip, swallowing hard. “I’m the lucky one.” He grinned back at Marcy before kissing her again. This time, they pressed closer as things heated up between them. Marcy’s core began to throb and heat spread through her.

Austin’s breath quickened to match hers. He inhaled deeply, his lips curling into a tempting grin. Fingering his hair, Marcy leaned her head against his chest, inhaling his exotic scent. It never failed to entice her.

His full mouth on hers sent shivers straight to her core.

Every time. His hands grazed over her back and down to her ass.

He began tugging at her dress, pulling it up.

Marcy’s insides quivered at his touch. A sense of anticipation was one of her favorite parts in their love-making.

The buildup was half the fun, and god did Austin know how to please her, in so many ways.

Austin pulled his head back and looked into her eyes.

“Let’s get you out of this dress.” His voice was husky and filled with need.

Marcy turned around with her back to him, her chest heaving.

Austin slowly unzipped her dress, then slid the straps off, one by one, giving her delectable kisses along her shoulders and upper back.

The dress was soon pooled at her feet, leaving her standing in just her black lace panties. He pressed himself to her back, his erection pressing into her. Austin’s expert hands moved around her body to caress her breasts.

Marcy sucked in her bottom lip, biting down hard.

Her desire for him was now an aching need.

“Oh, Austin,” she whispered, placing her hands against his chest. “You’re so damn hot.

I don’t know if I can ever get enough of you,” she breathed as she quickly unbuttoned his shirt.

Running her hands along his naked chest, she pushed his shirt off.

“The feeling is mutual, babe.” With each gentle touch, Austin's hands left a trail of tingles that danced across her skin. His fingers went to her panties, and hooking the sides, he slid them down her thighs.

About to explode from desire, Marcy helped him push them off and let them fall to the floor. Glimpsing the huge bulge in his pants, she tilted her head up to kiss him, palming his erection, stroking him through his trousers. Austin sucked a breath through his teeth, closing his eyes.

“Take these off,” she urged, removing her hand and tugging at his trousers.

“I aim to please, my beautiful mate.” His lips curled. He pushed his trousers to the floor, standing with his boxers on.

“Now. Now. Stop teasing,” she cooed, reaching for the band of his boxers. Sliding her hand inside, she stroked him, eliciting a sound somewhere between a grunt and a moan. Austin placed his hand at the back of her neck and pulled her to him, hungrily plunging his tongue into her mouth.

The kiss was agonizingly hot, leaving Marcy weak at the knees. Her body thrummed and ached for him. They pulled away from their kiss a minute later, both breathless.

“I want you,” he panted, searching her eyes.

Marcy pushed down his boxers, freeing his inviting cock. Austin picked her up, placing his hands on her behind. She wrapped her legs around him, rubbing her hot, wet center against his erection.

He moved toward the couch and carefully sat down with her still wrapped around him, angling himself just right for Marcy to straddle him. She ran her hand over his hard pecs and abs while he reached down and eased his hardened length into her.

They both moaned in unison as he inched himself inside her. She felt herself stretching to accommodate him. Marcy moved her hips while he thrust into her, filling her. She’d never been with a man who was so incredible in bed. She wondered if it was because he was her fated mate.

“I love having you inside me,” she murmured with a long moan as he slid his cock in and out.

He grunted, smiling at her. “Not as much as I love being inside you.” His hands were on her breasts, cupping and teasing her sensitive nipples with his fingers. She ground into him, gliding up and down his tantalizing cock.

He slid one hand off her breasts, moving it down to her swollen pleasure center. They kissed one another again as Austin expertly worked her, bringing her closer to the peak of a climax, as his own movements quickened.

Marcy closed her eyes, focusing on the sweet waves of heavenly pleasure he was giving her. His fingers rubbed faster against her clit, freeing the orgasm that had been building inside her. She threw her head back, bouncing up and down with a cry of release.

Austin’s hands grasped her hips, pushing himself deep inside her, then thrusting faster and harder.

She mewled with delight at the sensation.

Their eyes suddenly locked onto one another.

His face twisted with a look of pure bliss as he plunged into her over and over.

Moving in sync, she saw stars as another orgasm rolled through her body.

Seconds later, Austin let out a deep roar, cursing as he climaxed, plunging himself deep into her, holding there for several seconds while he released. Marcy’s skin prickled with goosebumps. A low rumble continued in his chest. He began to move again, more slowly, until he was spent.

Marcy let herself fall against him. Austin held her while their breathing evened out. She pressed her hands against his chest, pushing herself up to kiss his jawline before moving to taste his lips.

She smiled from ear to ear. “Making love with you is amazing,” she said.

He beamed back at her. “Wait until we do our bonding ritual. The sex is supposed to get even better,” he said, smoothing some hair off her face.

“Bonding what, now?”

“Ritual. Now that you’ve accepted me as your mate, we are bonded for life. To seal the deal so to speak, I would bite you during sex, and we would be mated forever.” He watched her face expectantly.

“Really?” Marcy was surprised but intrigued.

“Is that something you think you would like to do?” he asked, with one brow quirked.

“Is it safe?” she asked.

“Yes. There is, of course, a tiny chance that you could turn into a shifter. But you have to have a certain genetic predisposition for that to happen.”

“I could become a bear shifter like you?” The idea titillated her.

“Yes. But don’t get your hopes up. Most humans don’t. I just wanted to mention it. just in case.” He pulled her in for a tender kiss.

She snuggled against him and sighed. “Maybe that’s something we could do on our wedding night?”

Austin kissed her again and then looked at her with a grin. “I think that’s a great idea. Though you do realize that you’re already claimed by me, right?”

She gave him a toothy grin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”