Page 13 of Snowed In With the Grizzly

“I-I-I’m…” I stutter, but the words won’t come out.Dang.This is the first time I’ve propositioned a man in my life. And I’ve totally humiliated myself. Of course, he’s not interested in me. He’s a grown man, and he probably sees me as a kid. What an embarrassment I am. Making such an ass of myself when this man has been nothing but kind—

Jaxton steps closer, his big arms stretch toward me, and he drags me into his embrace. Raw hunger burns in his eyes. There’s no mistaking it this time.

He dips his head. My heart pounds.

And he kisses me.

Hekisses me.

Those firm, lush lips crush against mine. They’re velvet, with the exciting roughness of his stubble grazing my cheek.

Oh, bliss.My eyelids flutter closed.

My first ever kiss.

With this hot mountain man.

He’s gentle at first, but then he goes deeper, forcing my lips apart. I have no idea what I’m doing, but instinctively, I tilt my head, and his tongue slides into my mouth. A wild flame of desire lights inside me. I reach my arms around his neck, clinging to him. I want him to take me. I want all of him inside me. My whole body is on fire for this fierce, sexy man. Nothing else is real, nothing else exists, apart from this passion between us.

Possessionfloods my mind. The thought of beinghis.

He holds me tighter and tighter, his tongue plunging deep, his body pressed against mine. His breathing is rough and growly. Thick with need—

And he tears his mouth away.

I stare at him, lips still parted, too stunned to move.

“Sorry,” he mutters. “Got carried away.” He takes a step away from me.

I stagger backward, too. Press the back of my hand to my lips. I want to tell him not to apologize. But maybe he didn’t mean it like that? Maybe he didn’t like kissing me.

It hurts, but I can take it. At least I’ll have this moment to cherish forever.

4

Jaxton

My beast is running full pelt, churning up the fresh snow with its massive paws. I’ve been trying to get rid of my massive boner, but it’s no use. There’s only one thing that will do that, and she’s currently zipped up in a sleeping bag, sleeping sweetly in her grandma’s old bed.

Every nerve, every thought is focused on Rowan. I can’t believe she’s come back into my life. A woman now, and more beautiful than ever. She’s everything I knew she would be, and more.

Last night, when she asked me to kiss her, the universe tilted on its axis. There she was, her beautiful face lifted toward me like a flower. Lips pursing, cheeks adorably pink from embarrassment, but resolution burning in those lovely eyes of hers.

All these years, all these lonely nights, I’ve dreamed of this moment, but I never really believed it could happen.

And when her lips brushed mine for the first time, it was all I could do to keep my beast inside me. My cock surged, as hard as a rock. My beast roared for me to take her. Her sweet, virgin scent filled my nostrils. She’s so ripe, so ready. I could have seduced her right there and then. But it was too soon. When you’ve longed for your mate as I’ve longed for Rowan all these years, you don’t rush these things. You don’t take her for the first time in a broken-down cabin. You get the place warm and cozy and romantic, so she doesn’t feel even a flicker of cold when you unwrap her body for the first time. Then you lay her down on luxurious sheets, so she feels like the princess she is, and cherishes this moment forever.

My bear runs on and on. It should be exhausted because I spent all night outside her cabin, keeping watch over her. I was worried she might be cold. Worried that sleazy cop might somehow make it through the blizzard to get to her.

Not happening.

She’s mine, and I’m never leaving her unprotected again.

The cold was no problem for my beast and its shaggy coat. And there was one little gift—a crack between the curtains beside her bed. Hidden in the darkness, I peered through and watched as she got into the sleeping bag and pulled it all the way up, fastening the hood tightly around her chin. Then she pulled a thick comforter over her as well, until all I could see was her little face, as pure and beautiful as an angel’s. I dozed from time to time, resting my beastly head on my paws. But at least every half hour, I awoke and checked on her, seeing her turn from her left side to her right, then onto her back. Her sleepy sighs reaching my ears, filling me with tenderness.

Soon, I promised my beast. It was scrabbling to get at her, of course. Tearing up my skin. It was almost unbearable.

SoonI’ll be in her bed, and she’ll be in my arms, and nothing will separate us—ever again.

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