Page 20 of Grumpy Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #4)
Chapter
Seventeen
Ivy stepped into the cool night air beside Henry, her body still warm from the wine and rich food. Dinner had been perfect. The path to the lake stretched before them, illuminated by soft landscape lighting that faded into natural moonlight as they moved away from the building.
Without hesitation, she slipped her arm through Henry’s, feeling the solid warmth of his body at her side. His muscles tensed momentarily at the contact before relaxing, another small victory in their growing connection.
“The view should be incredible tonight,” she murmured, tilting her head toward the three-quarter moon hanging above the mountain ridge. “The lake reflects everything like a mirror when it’s this calm.”
The path descended gently through a stand of pines whose scent intensified in the cool night air.
Their needles cushioned her steps, making her grateful she’d chosen lower heels.
The forest opened suddenly to reveal the lake spread before them like liquid silver, mountains reflected perfectly on its still surface.
Tiny ripples caught the moonlight, transforming ordinary water into scattered diamonds.
Henry led her to a wooden bench situated in a small, naturally formed cove, sheltered by overhanging branches but with an unobstructed view of the water. Ivy sat close beside him, their thighs touching.
“It’s beautiful tonight,” she said, a flood of memories hitting her all at once.
“When I was little, maybe seven or eight, my mother would take me hiking,” Ivy began, looking out over the water.
“She had this incredible way of helping me see things—not just look at them. She’d find tiny mushrooms hiding under fallen logs or point out how tree bark patterns differed from species to species. ”
She smiled at the recollection. “One day she told me that knowledge creates connection, and connection creates protection. People protect what they love, and they can only love what they truly understand.”
Henry nodded, his expression thoughtful. “The center is her legacy, then.”
“Partly,” Ivy acknowledged. “But it’s also about building a bridge between people and this mountain.
Humans and shifters and the land itself, all connected.
” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “Most environmental education focuses on problems—deforestation, pollution, species loss. Important, absolutely. But I want to start with wonder.”
As she spoke, Henry’s gaze never left her face, his attention more focused than she’d ever experienced from anyone.
“Living alone has changed how I see this mountain,” he said after a moment, his voice dropping lower. “For most people, nature is somewhere to visit. For me, it’s home. But I never thought about how to share that perspective.”
He turned slightly on the bench, his knee pressing more firmly against hers. “Meeting you has changed things. Changed me.” His voice roughened with the admission. “I didn’t expect that.”
The vulnerability in his words caught Ivy off guard. This grumpy, isolated bear shifter who had spent years perfecting his solitude was acknowledging her impact on his life. Her chest tightened with emotion.
“When we first met, I thought you were maybe a little naive,” Henry continued, the words clearly difficult for him. “But you’re not. You’re strong. You choose to see possibility in people, in situations, even when it would be easier not to.”
Ivy reached for his hand, her fingers sliding between his much larger ones. “And your caution isn’t pessimism. It’s protection. You see potential threats because you care so deeply about what needs safeguarding.”
Their fingers intertwined on Henry’s thigh, the simple contact sending warmth up her arm. The night seemed to close around them, creating an intimate bubble of moonlight and shared breath.
Henry’s free hand lifted to her face. The rough fingertips against her skin sent electricity down her spine. Her breath caught. “Ivy,” he whispered. Her name became question and permission.
She answered by leaning forward. Closing the distance between them.
Henry’s mouth pressed against hers with careful restraint.
His hand cradled her face as if she were something precious.
Ivy felt her bear stir beneath her skin.
Responding to his nearness with primal recognition.
Heat bloomed low in her belly. She pressed closer.
Her free hand slid up his chest to rest over his thundering heart.
The kiss deepened. Henry’s tongue traced her lips and swept inside to taste her. She welcomed him with a soft whimper. His arms wrapped around her waist. Pulled her against his chest. The kiss transformed. Gentle to consuming.
His hands spanned her lower back. Fingers pressed through thin fabric to heated skin beneath. Ivy explored the solid planes of his chest, and she felt the barely contained power beneath his dress shirt. She moved one hand to his neck, fingers threading through dark hair.
Henry groaned against her lips as she practically climbed into his lap on the narrow bench.
His hands slid lower. Cupped her ass through her dress.
The bold touch sent liquid heat straight to her core.
Her panties dampened with arousal. Her clit throbbed with each heartbeat.
Ivy gasped. Broke the kiss. Dragged in air that smelled of pine and lake water and Henry’s arousal.
A distant laugh carried across the water. It reminded her they were still in a public space, however secluded their little cove might seem. Henry seemed to realize it too. His breathing ragged against her neck.
“We should…” he started then stopped. Clearly struggling to form coherent thoughts.
“Find somewhere more private,” Ivy finished for him. Her voice husky with desire. “We could get a room.”
Henry held her gaze for a long moment before reaching into his pocket for his phone. “When I made the dinner reservation,” he admitted as he tapped the screen. “I saw where you can book a suite online.”
Ivy smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. “Look at you, using technology.”
He glanced up with a rare half-smile that made her heart stutter. “I’m learning.”
Their spacious suite managed to be both rustic and luxurious.
A stone fireplace dominated one wall of the living area, with a plush sofa positioned to take advantage of both the fire and the wall of windows overlooking the lake.
A king-sized bed was visible through an open doorway, its crisp white linens turned down invitingly.
Henry moved immediately to the fireplace, his practical nature asserting itself as he arranged logs from the neatly stacked pile beside the hearth.
Ivy drifted toward the windows, drawn by the spectacular view of the moonlit lake from their elevated position.
The water stretched like polished obsidian beneath the star-filled sky, mountains rising dark beyond its shores.
Her reflection appeared in the glass. Her eyes bright with anticipation. Cheeks flushed with desire and wine. She barely recognized herself—this woman with tousled curls and parted lips seemed far removed from the composed scientist who ran institute projects with cheerful efficiency.
Behind her, the fire caught with a soft whoosh. Golden light competed with silver moonlight streaming through the windows. In the glass, she saw Henry’s reflection appear beside hers. His expression was intense as he approached.
His hands settled on her waist. Warm and solid through her dress fabric.
Ivy’s breath caught as he pulled her gently back against his chest, his erection hard against the small of her back.
His lips found the sensitive spot where her neck curved into shoulder.
Teeth grazed her pulse point. She tilted her head instinctively to grant him better access, and a soft moan escaped her throat as his mouth worked against her skin.
“You smell like sunshine,” he murmured against her neck. The vibration sent shivers down her spine. “Even in moonlight.”
His hands slid slowly up her sides, thumbs brushing the outer curves of her breasts through her dress.
The light touch wasn’t nearly enough. Ivy pressed back against him, felt the thick ridge of his cock press more firmly against her.
One of his hands moved higher, fingers traced her collarbone before sliding up to cup her throat.
His large, rough hand against her delicate skin made her pulse jump. His other hand found the zipper of her dress and tugged it down. Cool air kissed her exposed spine, immediately followed by the heat of his mouth as he placed open-mouthed kisses along each newly revealed vertebra.
Ivy couldn’t stand it anymore. She turned in his arms, sought his mouth with her own. The kiss was deeper and more urgent than before, need building between them like electrical charge. Her hands moved to his shirt buttons and fumbled with her eagerness to feel his skin against hers.
They stumbled toward the bedroom, stopping every few steps to remove another piece of clothing.
Henry’s shirt landed near the sofa, and her dress pooled on the floor by the fireplace.
By the time they reached the bedroom doorway, he wore only dark slacks while she was down to a matching emerald lace bra and panties.
The firelight gilded Henry’s bare chest, highlighting the defined muscles of his shoulders and abdomen. Ivy ran her hands over him appreciatively, watching his eyes darken. His skin felt hot beneath her palms, as if his bear’s fire burned just beneath the surface.