Beast Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #2)

Chapter

Seventeen

Serena settled on the couch in the living room of the suite, heart still light from the spa’s lingering magic. She leaned back against the cushions, gazing at the bouquet of red roses Theo had bought for her. He carried over a bottle of champagne, icy condensation sliding down its sleek surface.

“Shall we?” he asked quietly, glancing at her with a teasing grin.

She nodded, a soft laugh escaping her throat. “Absolutely.”

He popped the bottle, muffling the cork’s release with a towel. Then, filling two glasses, he handed one to her, the gentle fizz dancing at the rim. They clinked a toast, and Serena sipped the cool, crisp bubbles that crackled on her tongue.

The atmosphere felt quietly electric, each moment heightened by the glimmer of moonlight through the balcony doors. They danced across Theo’s features, illuminating the curve of his mouth when he smiled at her. She felt an unfamiliar confidence growing inside her. For the first time in forever, she felt safe to lean into a connection.

Her inner cougar stirred with an insistent hum of longing that pulsed through her veins. For years, she had kept that restless feline hidden behind caution and walls of fear. Every instinct within her urged her to close the distance, to claim and be claimed. The intensity of it both thrilled and overwhelmed her, lighting a fire in her chest.

She set her glass on the coffee table, turned to him, and cupped his jaw. Theo’s lips parted. Encouraged by the warmth in his eyes, she leaned in and pressed her mouth to his. The taste of champagne lingered on his lips, adding sweetness to his kiss.

Theo responded with a low hum, his hand sliding around her waist. The heat from their connection radiated through her body. When they finally parted, Serena took a deep breath. “I guess the massage did wonders for my nerves.”

Theo’s voice sounded equally affected. “Me too.”

She couldn’t help but smile, tangling her fingers with his. In that moment, she felt safer and more open than she had in a long time. Prodded on by her inner cougar, she climbed into Theo’s lap, straddling him. “I’m not ready for claiming,” she said, looking him in the eye.

“I understand. I won’t bite you. I swear it.”

Without hesitation, she pressed her lips firmly to his, her tongue sweeping through them to taste his mouth. His responding groan vibrated against her, and she thrilled at the warmth of his hands grasping her waist. Each flick of his tongue fueled the pulsing desire coiling in her belly, and the air around them seemed to shimmer with intensity.

She could feel him growing hard beneath her and moisture gathered between her thighs. Serena’s desire deepened. Heart hammering, she seized the hem of her sweater, tugging it up and over her head.

Theo’s gaze grazed across her bare skin and the satiny fabric of her bra. He drank in the sight of her, a low groan rumbling in his throat. She could almost feel his pulse in the heated space between them. “You’re gorgeous,” he murmured, voice husky with desire.

She inhaled, exhilaration filling her body. Seeing the hunger in Theo’s expression made her pussy ache. With reverent hands, he cupped her breasts over the smooth fabric, thumbs brushing over her nipples. Electricity darted along her nerves, each pass of his thumbs sending a rush of sensation to her core.

Every inch of her skin buzzed with sensuality, and she reveled in the certainty that, in this moment, both her body and her inner cougar wanted the same thing: to let down her barriers and surrender to this raging desire.

Serena felt a fierce surge of hunger. She thrust her tongue into Theo’s mouth again, plunging deeper, feeding on his taste with unrestrained heat. With each slow roll of her hips, she felt him growing harder beneath her. The pressure of his cock made her pussy ache with need.

A ragged sound escaped Theo’s throat. He slid his hands down the curve of her waist, then gripped her ass, pulling her against him. Theo’s fingers worked deftly at the clasp of her bra. He slipped the straps down her shoulders, and the cool air grazed her newly exposed flesh.

Theo’s gaze turned molten, a soft growl rumbling deep in his throat. He leaned in, wrapping his lips around one nipple, coaxing it to hardness with each warm pull. Serena’s head fell back, her spine curving as a wave of pleasure washed through her. His tongue flicked over the sensitive peak, sending fresh sparks of desire flooding her veins. His free hand splayed across her back, anchoring her in place against him.

Serena reached down between them and deftly slid the zipper of Theo’s pants open. She eased his length free, heat rolling through her as her palm wrapped around him. She stroked him slowly, taking in the soft hitches of his breath and the tension coiling in his muscles. Each pass of her hand ignited a deeper surge of need.

Her inner cougar yowled to feel him. “I want you... inside me.” The confession trembled through her. She could see the hunger in his gaze, mirroring her own.

Theo’s grip on her tightened, his fingers pressing into the soft curve of her ass. With a sudden burst of purpose, he stood, taking her with him. Serena wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulse wild in her ears. His strength sent a flush of exhilaration through her body, and she let out a breathless laugh as he carried her to the bedroom.