Page 24 of Bearly Ever After (Bear Creek Forever #5)

Nicole woke in her mate’s protective arms. A mate she didn’t even know she had until yesterday.

But now that she knew, well, there was nowhere else she would rather be than nestled against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

“Morning.” He pressed his lips to her shoulder and tightened his arm around her waist.

“Morning.” She half-turned, and he lowered his gaze to her lips as if they were the most fascinating thing he had ever seen.

His eyes darkened, the intensity taking her breath away as he traced a finger along the curve of her jaw, sending shivers of desire through her veins.

“You’re so incredible,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep. And desire. The same desire that made her stomach flip. “I can hardly believe you’re really here with me.”

Nicole still couldn’t quite believe it, either. That fate had led her here to Bear Creek and her true mate, the one person in all the world meant for her.

And only her.

At this precise moment, life felt just perfect.

Sighing contentedly, she snuggled closer against his chest, losing herself in the feel of his body against hers.

“Well, believe it. Because I’m not going anywhere,” she promised, trailing her fingers across his chest. “At least for the next five minutes.”

“Five whole minutes.” He captured her hand and brought it to his lips, placing a tender kiss on her palm that sent tingles racing up her arm. “Well, in that case, I’d better make each one count,” he rumbled possessively as he slipped his hand higher and cupped her breast in his palm, rolling his thumb over her hardened nipple.

Nicole shivered at his touch, her body arching into his hand as heat bloomed low in her belly. “Mmm, I like the sound of that,” she murmured breathlessly.

“Then maybe we can stretch five minutes into ten minutes.” His mouth captured hers in a searing kiss, his tongue trailing along her lower lip. She melted into him, relishing the taste of him and the scent of his warm skin. His hands roamed her curves, igniting desire everywhere he touched.

Breaking the kiss, he trailed his lips down the slender column of her throat, nipping and suckling the sensitive flesh.

“Maybe I can spare you ten.” Nicole threaded her fingers through his thick hair, holding him close as delicious sensations washed over her. “But it’s a tough decision. You are making me wait for my first cup of coffee of the day.”

“Apologies,” he growled against her skin, his voice a deep rumble that she felt all the way to her core.

“You’d better make it worth it,” she gasped as his teeth grazed her collarbone.

“I intend to.” He lifted his head to gaze down at her, his eyes molten with desire and something infinitely tender. “I intend to make it worth it every day of my life.”

“You sure know what to say to make a woman feel special,” Nicole purred.

“Because you are special,” Klein told her. “To me, you are the most special thing in the world.”

Nicole’s breath caught at the raw emotion in his voice. How had she gotten so lucky to find a mate who cherished her so deeply, so completely? It still felt surreal, like a dream she never wanted to wake from.

“I love you,” she whispered, the words tumbling out unbidden. But they had never felt more true or right.

His eyes widened slightly, then crinkled at the corners as a slow, joyous smile spread across his handsome face. “I love you, too, Nicole. More than anything.”

He sealed his declaration with another soul-searing kiss that left her weak and trembling. She lost herself in the heat of his mouth, the slide of his tongue against hers, until the world narrowed to just the two of them, tangled together as one.

His hands skimmed down her sides to grip her hips, pulling her flush against the hard ridge of his arousal. She moaned into the kiss, need pulsing through her veins as the mating bond between them flared to life.

Only to be snuffed out by the sound of her phone ringing.

Klein tore his gaze from her, his eyes filled with a flash of annoyance as he glanced at her phone on the nightstand. But then he relaxed and reached out a muscular arm and curled his fingers around it, shifting his weight as he passed it to her.

“Sorry.” She tugged the bedcovers up to her chin as she accepted the offending phone.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He kissed her cheek and rolled off the bed in one swift movement. “I’ll go put some coffee on.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes lingered on his bare back as he reached for his jeans, but then she caught the name flashing up on her phone.

Tammy.

A sliver of unease trickled down her spine. Why would Tammy be calling this early in the morning unless there was a problem?

Nicole took a breath and steadied her nerves, and her voice, as she tapped the screen and answered the call. “Morning, Tammy. Is everything okay?”

“Mila is fine,” Tammy said quickly, as if reading Nicole’s thoughts. But then they were the same thoughts any mother would relate to.

“And Finlay?” Had he revealed himself as a lion shifter to Mila? Was Tammy calling for Nicole to go pick up her daughter because she’d freaked out at seeing Finlay shift?

“Oh, he’s fine, too,” Tammy assured her with a small laugh.

“But something has happened.” Nicole could instinctively tell by the tone of Tammy’s voice.

“They went out early this morning to watch the sun rise over the mountains. Mila said that she had never seen the sunrise and so…” Tammy paused. “Sorry, I’ll get to the point.”

“Please,” Nicole whispered.

“While they were out, Finlay sensed something,” Tammy began.

“What kind of something?” Nicole experienced a moment of dread. If there were shifters in the world, what else might there be?

“A hiker. He slipped last night and fell. He’s been lying in a cleft in the rocks all night. Mila and Finlay found him and raised the alarm. The local mountain rescue team brought him down from the mountain and took him to Bear Bluff Hospital. Mila and Finlay are quite the heroes.”

“Oh my goodness.” A rush of relief swept over Nicole, swiftly followed by a feeling of guilt. “Is he all right?”

“Yes. The rescue team said he’s in a stable condition, just some bumps and bruises and mild hypothermia from being out in the cold all night,” Tammy replied. “But it could have been much worse if Mila and Finlay hadn’t found him when they did. He’s lucky to be alive.”

Nicole exhaled slowly, her heart thumping from the momentary panic. “Thank goodness for that. And thank goodness Mila and Finlay were in the right place at the right time. I’m so proud of them both.”

“Me, too. They kept cool heads and worked together to deal with the situation,” Tammy said with admiration. “Mila stayed with the hiker while Finlay ran back here to get help. They make quite the team, those two.”

A smile tugged at Nicole’s lips despite the seriousness of the situation. “They do.”

“I wanted to let you know what happened,” Tammy said. “And to let you know that the local sheriff, Brad, has asked me to take them down to his office to make a statement about the incident.”

“A statement,” Nicole repeated.

“Yes,” Tammy replied, then quickly added, “They’re not in trouble or anything. But the hiker had no ID on him so it’s important that Mila and Finlay give a detailed account of how and where they found him. Brad just wants to get all the facts straight for his report.”

Nicole nodded, even though Tammy couldn’t see her through the phone. “Of course, that makes sense. I’ll come meet you at the sheriff’s office.”

“I thought you would want to be there,” Tammy replied. “They’re just eating breakfast. So, shall we meet there in an hour?”

“I’ll be there,” Nicole said, even though she didn’t know where the sheriff’s office was. But she knew a man who did. “And thanks, Tammy.”

“I’m not the one who did the saving,” Tammy said lightly.

“I mean for everything…” Nicole paused, hoping Tammy knew what she was talking about.

“Anytime. I’m just so happy that Klein has found his mate,” Tammy said. “He did tell you, right?” Her voice rose

“He did,” Nicole chuckled. This sure would be an awkward moment if Klein hadn’t told her everything.

“Oh, I’m so glad!” Tammy exclaimed. “I know how much it means to him. To all of us. It’s been hard on Klein being the only one without a mate.”

“I feel incredibly lucky,” Nicole replied hoarsely. “I never imagined I’d find a connection like this, especially after...well, being alone for so long.”

“You deserve all the happiness in the world, Nicole,” Tammy said warmly. “Both you and Klein. And Mila, too. I just know you are all going to have a beautiful life together.”

“Thank you, Tammy.” Nicole blinked back the happy tears that threatened to spill. “That means more than you know.”

“Okay, enough mushy stuff,” Tammy said with a light laugh. “I’ll see you down at the sheriff’s office in an hour. Drive safe.”

“I will. See you soon.” Nicole ended the call and sat for a moment, marveling at the incredible turn her life had taken in such a short time. Just days ago, she had arrived in Bear Creek feeling lost and unsure, seeking a fresh start for herself and Mila. And now, she had discovered her true mate. The other half of her soul.

Klein filled the painful void that had ached inside her for so long. One she had ignored for the sake of her daughter. Since the day Mila’s father rejected them, Nicole had fought to give Mila the life she deserved, the love she needed to thrive and grow into the wonderful young woman she was today.

And what more proof did Nicole need that she had succeeded than hearing the news that Mila had bravely helped rescue this hiker?

Giddy elation bubbled up inside her chest, and she hugged her knees, taking a moment to simply bask in the pure, unfiltered joy. And relief.

It had been hard. Sometimes it had seemed impossible. But she had pushed on, pushed through her fears and doubts and now it seemed as if things had slotted into place.

As if this was where their road was always leading them.

The bedroom door creaked open, and Klein poked his head in, a mug of steaming coffee in his hand. “Everything okay?”

“More than okay.” Nicole smiled shyly at him. He was so much more than she had ever dreamed. And so much more than she deserved. But then, love was not about what was deserved.

“Well, that’s good to hear.” As he leaned down and placed the coffee cup on the nightstand, he pressed a kiss to her neck, and she shivered with desire. Turning her head, she locked eyes with him and he pressed his lips to hers. Nicole curled her arm around his neck and drew him close.

Nicole lost herself in Klein’s kiss, savoring the feel of his strong arms enveloping her. All the worries and stress of the morning melted away as she surrendered to the passion igniting between them. His woodsy, masculine scent enveloped her, making her head spin with need.

A low growl rumbled in his chest as his hands roamed her curves possessively. She arched into his touch, craving more. The bond thrummed with intensity, urging them to complete the mating.

“Are you going to tell me what Tammy wanted?” he murmured against her ear.

“Mila and Finlay rescued a lost hiker early this morning. They found him injured and got help,” Nicole explained breathlessly.

“They did?” Klein’s eyebrows shot up as he inched away from her.

“I am meeting Tammy at the sheriff’s office in an hour,” Nicole explained. “Mila and Finlay have to make a statement since the hiker had no ID.”

“An hour, huh?” Klein slipped his hand under the sheets and caressed her breasts.

“A whole hour.” Nicole bit her bottom lip as he tweaked her taut nipple between his finger and thumb. “How will we amuse ourselves?”

He slipped an arm around her waist and, in one swift movement, turned her onto her belly. “I can think of one way.” He urged her up on her hands and knees, his solid chest pressed against her back. One hand drifted down to cup her mound, his fingers teasing her slick folds. “You’re so wet for me already.”

“Always,” she gasped, as Klein’s firm hands gripped her hips and he positioned himself behind her, the heat of his body searing her skin. Nicole’s pulse raced in anticipation, her core aching for him. And only him.

Klein’s fingers circled her sensitive bundle of nerves, stoking the flames of her desire higher. Nicole moaned, pushing back against him wantonly. She needed him inside her, stretching and filling her completely.

“Please,” she whimpered, her voice rough with need.

“Please what?” he growled, nipping at her earlobe. “Tell me what you want.”

“You. I want you.” Nicole reached back to grip his thigh, digging her nails into his taut flesh. “Make me yours again.”

With a possessive snarl, Klein thrust into her slick heat in one powerful stroke. Nicole cried out as he stretched her deliciously. The slight sting only heightened her pleasure. He set a deep, steady rhythm, hitting that sweet spot inside her with each flex of his hips.

Bracing herself on her forearms, Nicole met him thrust for thrust, reveling in the exquisite friction as their bodies moved as one. Klein’s fingers dug into the soft flesh of her hips as he drove into her harder and faster, spurred on by the needy whimpers spilling from her lips. The coil of tension low in Nicole’s belly wound tighter with each deep stroke, her inner walls fluttering around his thick length. She was so close, teetering on the edge of bliss.

Klein reached around to rub tight circles on her aching nub, and Nicole came with a hoarse cry. Wave after wave of intense pleasure crashed over her as she clenched around him, stars exploding behind her eyelids. With a guttural groan, Klein followed her over, his powerful body shuddering against hers as he found his release deep inside her.

They collapsed onto the tangled sheets, and Klein gathered her into his arms, cradling her close as the aftershocks rippled through them both. He pressed tender kisses across her shoulders and the nape of her neck, murmuring words of love and devotion.

“You’re amazing,” he rumbled, nuzzling into her hair. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”

Nicole turned in his arms to face him, a sated smile on her lips. “I feel the same way about you,” she murmured, tracing her fingers along the chiseled planes of his jaw. “I never knew it could be like this. So intense, so all-consuming.”

Klein’s eyes softened as he gazed down at her, a wealth of emotion swirling in their depths. “This is what it means to find your true mate. The one you’re destined for. I will cherish you always, Nicole. You and Mila are my entire world now.”

Tears pricked Nicole’s eyes at his heartfelt declaration. She still couldn’t quite believe that fate had led her to this incredible man. If any other man had said those words to her, she would not have believed him.

But when she looked into Klein’s eyes, she knew he was telling the truth.