Page 14 of Rescued By the Surly Sasquatch

"Note to self," Betsy grumbled, gingerly making her way across the clearing, "next time you decide to go au naturel in thewoods, maybe bring some flip-flops. And bug spray. Definitely bug spray."

As she walked, Betsy's mind wandered back to Chase. The memory of his touch sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the cool forest air. She could almost feel his massive hands on her skin, could practically taste the wild sweetness of his kiss.

"Get it together," she chastised herself, shaking her head vigorously. "You're on a mission here. Operation: Seduce the Sasquatch. Although really, it's more like Operation: Get the Sasquatch to Acknowledge Your Existence and Maybe Explain What the Heck is Going On."

Betsy paused in front of a large oak tree, placing her hands on her hips in what she hoped was a pose of determination rather than ridiculous nudity.

"All right, Chase," she called out to the seemingly empty forest. "I know you're out there somewhere, probably brooding majestically and doing whatever it is magical forest guardians do when they're not sweeping unsuspecting women off their feet. But enough's enough. We need to talk."

The forest remained stubbornly silent. Not even a sympathetic breeze answered her call.

Betsy sighed, shoulders slumping. "Great. I've been ghosted by Sasquatch. This has got to be a new low, even for me."

Just as she was considering admitting defeat (and maybe investing in a lifetime supply of cold showers), a twig snapped behind her. Betsy whirled around, her heart leaping into her throat.

There, looming at the edge of the clearing like a particularly furry thundercloud, stood Chase. His dark eyes widened as they took in her naked form, a mixture of confusion, concern, and something decidedly hotter flashing across his face.

"Betsy," he rumbled, his deep voice sending a thrill through her. "What are you doing?"

For a moment, Betsy forgot how to speak. All the sassy remarks and clever explanations she'd rehearsed in her head evaporated like morning dew. She was acutely aware of her nudity, of the way Chase's gaze seemed to caress every inch of her exposed skin.

Then her brain kicked back into gear, and she straightened up, chin lifted defiantly. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm communing with nature. Embracing my primal side. Going full-on Earth Goddess. Take your pick."

Chase's brow furrowed, creating an adorable crease between his eyes that Betsy had to resist the urge to smooth away. "But why are you not clothed?"

"Oh, you know," Betsy said, waving a hand airily and trying to ignore the blush creeping up her neck. "I figured if I'm going to be a forest hermit, I might as well go all in. Who needs clothes when you've got leaves? And pinecones. So many pinecones."

Chase took a step closer, his nostrils flaring as he caught her scent. "This is a human mating ritual?" he asked, sounding genuinely perplexed.

Betsy couldn't help it. She burst out laughing. "A human mating—oh honey, no. Although I supposeNaked and Afraiddoes have a certain dating show vibe to it."

Chase's confusion only seemed to deepen. "I do not understand. You are naked and afraid?"

"No, it's a TV show where—you know what? Never mind." Betsy took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. It was now or never. "Look, Chase. I'm here because we need to talk. About us. About this whole mate bond thing. And yes, okay, maybe I thought being naked might help get your attention. Sue me."

Chase's expression softened slightly, a flicker of something like longing passing through his eyes. "Betsy," he said, his voicegentler now. "You do not need to be unclothed to have my attention. You have had it from the moment I first caught your scent."

Betsy's heart did a little flip. "Okay, that's good to know. And also kind of sweet, in a weirdly olfactory way. But Chase, you can't just drop the whole 'we're mates' bomb on me and then disappear. That's not how this should work."

She took a step towards him, emboldened by the intensity of his gaze. "I get that this is complicated. Trust me, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm apparently Sasquatch-sexual. But I'm here, Chase. I'm not running away. And I want more than just mind-blowing forest sex. I want to understand you, to be a part of your world. If I'm your mate, then be my mate. In every sense of the word."

Chase stood silent for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he closed the distance between them. Betsy's breath caught in her throat as he reached out, his massive hand gently cupping her cheek.

"You do not know what you ask," he said softly. "My world is not for humans. It is dangerous, filled with magics and creatures beyond your understanding."

Betsy leaned into his touch, her skin tingling where it met his. "Then help me understand," she whispered. "Teach me. I'm a quick learner, I swear. And I make a mean cup of herbal tea. Well, when I'm not accidentally poisoning myself."

The ghost of a smile tugged at Chase's lips, and Betsy felt a surge of triumph. She was getting through to him, she could feel it.

"It will not be easy," Chase warned, his thumb tracing a gentle arc along her cheekbone.

Betsy grinned up at him, all sass and determination. "Honey, I'm standing butt naked in the middle of the forest, covered inbug bites and probably at least three types of rashes, trying to seduce a mythical creature. I think I can handle 'not easy.'"

For a moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath. Then Chase let out a rumbling chuckle that Betsy felt down to her toes. "Very well, little one," he said, a new warmth in his eyes. "We will try."

As Chase shed his own coverings and pulled her into his arms, Betsy sent a silent thank you to whatever forest spirits might be listening. Operation: Seduce the Sasquatch was officially a success.

CHASE

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