Page 10 of Driven Wild By The Grizzly

Maybe it’s dumb to trust a complete stranger. But Ethan is not a stranger, and I’ve never felt so sure of anything in my life.

“Okay, let’s go,” I say.

He keeps a tight grip on my hand as he draws me along, dodging the worst of the mud. The wind and driving rain snatch my breath away and I’m starting to shiver like crazy, but I know that as long as I keep hold of Ethan’s hand, I’ll be safe. I can see how well he knows the forest, how he exists at one with it. All I need to focus on is getting indoors—

We pass through a bend in the trail.

“Oh shit,” Ethan mutters, at the same moment that a loud rushing sound rises above the howling wind and thrashing trees.

I step out from behind him and see what he’s looking at.

5

Ethan

The little river which usually meanders through the forest, and doesn’t do a whole lot more than wet my calves, has turned into a raging torrent. It’s fast and angry-looking, with broken-off branches caught up in its flow.

Kinda awesome. At least, if I was alone right now, I’d think so. I’d stand and watch it for a while. Maybe take a daredevil swim. But right now, I’ve got Jessica to take care of. And I don’t want her to experience a moment of fear or uncertainty.

I turn to her. Her dark hair is plastered to her face and her skin is paler than before. She looks like a wild, gorgeous creature of the storm. But she’s scared. And that’s the last thing I want.

“How are we going to cross it?” she murmurs.

“It’s nothing,” I tell her. “I cross it every day.”

“Like this?” Her lovely arched eyebrows tug together.

“Well, it’s usually a little calmer.” I laugh.

She bites her lip and suddenly, she looks so vulnerable, my heart aches. Without another thought, I put my arms around her and sweep her up into my embrace.

She gasps in surprise, but then her slender arms lift up and loop around my neck, naturally, like she’s done it a hundred times before. My heart leaps. Because she’smine. Everything happens so naturally between us because we’re supposed to be together.

Damn.And the feeling of her in my arms. I bite back a groan of desire. Her luscious body fits so perfectly against mine. Her beautiful face is only inches away. I take in the deep, sparkling amber of her irises, make out every long, dark lash. Her full rose-pink lips are so temptingly close. I’d only have to dip my head and I’d be claiming them with my own. Arousal pours through me at the thought, and my dick gets even harder.

I’d do anything for the chance to kiss her. Risk anything; endure any suffering.

But it’s not gonna happen until she shows me she wants me,I tell my beast, pushing back on its feral desire.

When I take a step closer to the bank, she whimpers. An answering jab of pain goes through my heart. Doesn’t she know I’d never let anything bad happen to her?

“Just relax, honeybun, we’ll be across in a second,” I say. I step carefully down the steep bank and wade into the water. The rocks underfoot are slippery, and the loose branches slam into my knees, but my tread is sure. I take another step, and another one. The water charges past my thighs. It’s freezing cold, but I barely feel it, because the warmth of my mate’s body radiates right through me.

The feeling of her fingers clinging to the back of my neck is a bliss I never could have imagined. With every breath, I inhale her scent. The rain has diluted it, but it’s still there, sweet and heady and intoxicating.

My bear rumbles with pleasure as we make our way through the river. It’s in no hurry now, wanting to savor this moment for as long as possible.

I’m trying to focus on getting her home, and not imagine how incredible she’ll feel when there are no clothes between us, no storm hammering me on all sides. But it’s no use. My cock is surging like a heat-seeking missile. I’m desperate to claim her sweet body, to make her mine forever.

Three more strides and I’ll be at the opposite bank—

Clunk!Something smashes into the back of my thigh, almost taking me down. I stagger and bite back a curse.

“Ethan!” Jessica screams.

“Sorry.” I make my voice soft and soothing. “It’s okay.”

“No, you’re hurt.” Her eyes widen in concern.

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