Page 14 of Coveted By The Bear (When Worlds Collide #1)

I rolled onto my side and watched my exhausted mate as she slept peacefully. The claiming bite I’d given her was red and angry looking, despite the healing properties in my Shifter saliva.

My Bear chuffed contentedly in that metaphysical plane where he waited until we swapped skins. He was eager to meet her face to face, but more than satisfied to allow me this time with her.

Good. Cause I needed it.

I didn’t know what I did to deserve her. This soft, pretty woman had gone toe to toe with an Alpha for me.

Fuck. I knew it was pointless to even ponder the question.

Fact was, I did not deserve her. Not one inch of her. But here she was, trusting me with her life. Her heart. Her future.

My chest swelled with my next inhale, and I reached for her, dragging her body closer to mine.

Oh, I was addicted now.

In just a matter of days, Hope had burrowed her way deep into my heart and soul, into the very core of my being.

Beast and man were taken with her.

I wanted her all the time.

Flashes of the way she looked when I took her hard and fast in the shower, and again, slower when we made it to the bedroom.

Her breathy moans.

Her welcoming body.

The sweet, fresh taste of her on my lips.

And that face she made when she came.

Fuck. She was so damn good. So perfect for me in every way.

But was I perfect for her? Would being in her life prove to be a good thing, or would the monster in me destroy her?

Grrrr.

My inner Bear snarled at the thought. The creature was ready to tear me to bits. Communication between a Shifter and their animal was different for everyone.

For me, my Bear often communicated with animalistic growls and snarls. But every now and then, he used human words. Like now.

Protect.

Cherish.

Covet.

Ours.

Mate.

I exhaled slowly, kissing Hope’s temple. The Bear coveted this woman as much as my human side did.

I was going to be better for her. Do better.

Day by day, little by little, I would prove it to her. But first, we had a meeting with the Alpha and the council of the Barvale Clan.

My old Alpha had fucked up my chances here for a peaceful transition into fresh territory. But I would do anything to make it right. Whatever it took, I would beg, plead, work off my offense just to guarantee Hope did not have to leave her home.

“Your thoughts are loud, Bearman,” Hope mumbled, and I grinned.

“Bearman?”

“Mmm hmm,” she said and yawned, opening her warm velvet eyes. “It’s that or Yogi.”

“I don’t think so, pretty Girl,” I rumbled and snagged her by the waist, pulling her into contact with my heated body.

Goddamn. She felt so good. Warm. Soft. Perfect.

“Mmm. I see somebody is awake,” she teased, and wiggled closer, wrapping her leg around my hip and sliding her slick sex along my ever-ready cock.

“Fuck. You’re so wet, aren’t you, Baby?”

“Mm hmm. So, what are you gonna do about it?” she asked.

I watched as that teasing gleam in her eyes turned into something else. Something hot and sexy, full of desire.

For me. All for me.