Page 13 of His Stubborn Bear

He needn’t have worried. Kian couldn’t be in safer hands.

“Yeah, he’s here,” Kian said.

I heard my brother say, “Good, Gabe will sort everything out.”

He looked back at me, and I smiled gently.

“All right, I’ll see you when you get home,” Kian said. And hearing him call a house that wasn’t mine home… I didn’t like it.

He finally hung up and walked over to me. “Thank you,” he said.

I tried not to grin like a lunatic “Does that mean you’ll let me take you into town and get your car sorted?” I checked.

He nodded. “Yes, please.”

“I would be very happy to.” I felt like I was on top of the world. It was something small, but my bear and I loved being able to cater to our mate in this way.

“I’ll just grab my things.” Kian sidled over to the passenger side and opened the door. He grabbed a messenger bag and slung it over his chest before shutting the door and coming over to me.

“Here.” He held out his hand, and I opened my palm, and the key fob was dropped in it.

“Thank you,” he said. And he looked relieved.

“Anytime,” I said softly, holding his gaze.

Those high cheekbones were slashed with color, and he looked away. “I hope I’m not completely messing up your day.”

“Not at all.” I put my hand at the nape of his back because I needed to, and he shivered. I felt like I’d just been branded with that simple touch.

I couldn’t contain the rumbling growl that came from deep within my chest.Mate! Mine!

My bear reminded me it was actuallyOurs.My bear was pushing me to carry our mate to our house and claim him. But my human side knew I couldn’t do that.

Neither of us said a word as I led him to the passenger side of my Land Rover and helped him in.

“Thank you,” he murmured but wouldn’t look at me. I watched as he pulled his seatbelt, and his hand trembled slightly.

It shouldn’t, but it made me smile. I closed the door and made my way around. Maybe it was wrong to be so happy, but I was thrilled knowing I affected my mate.

I was fucking ecstatic.Because he was driving me crazy. At least it wasn’t one-sided.

* * *

It wasquiet in the car at first, and I watched my mate out of the corner of my eyes. He was sitting straight up, his hand in his lap.

“So how are you liking Asheville so far?” I asked. “Can you see yourself making this your home permanently?”

Kian slowly turned my way. And I found myself holding my breath. Asheville was my home. Not only that, it was my responsibility. If my mate didn’t like it here, I couldn’t exactly pick up and leave.

But you would,a voice said.

“I’ve not seen much of it,” Kian replied, “But what I saw when I drove up was pretty cool. You have a windmill.” He sounded fascinated by this.

I smiled and nodded. “Yeah, my couple of greats—”

He chuckled. “Couple of greats?”

I nodded and glanced at him quickly before facing the road again. “Yeah, great-great-great—I’m never quite sure.”