Page 27 of Cowboy Bear's Hope

Her eyes dilated and her expression turned dreamy as she ran her hands up my chest and to my face,

“I know you’re Dante. You’re a good man, and I am guessing you have a secret, too. Like Max?”

“I do. See, I’m not human like you, Honey. I’m a Shifter.”

“A Shifter? Like a Werewolf?” she questioned.

“Sort of. But I’m not a Wolf. I’m a Grizzly Bear Shifter.”

“You mean you turn into a Bear?” Avery’s eyes widened, and she shivered all over.

“You’re safe, Honey. I don’t want you to be afraid. Me and my Bear would never hurt you,” I said.

It was very important to me she understood that. Avery smiled then, and all my angst eased under the warm glow of her happiness.

This woman was so special. So strong and heartbreakingly beautiful. She had the power to make or break a man like me.

Did she know? Could she tell I was completely besotted?

“I know,” she said.

“You know?”

“I know I’m safe with you, Magic Man. I knew that the first time I met you,” she said, and licked her lips.

“You did? Then why have you been pushing me away?”

“Because I thought you rejected me first, and I was trying to protect myself.”

“Oh, Honey, I would never reject you. I couldn’t if I tried. And I don’t want to try.”

“Why?” she whispered, her eyes narrowed on my lips, conjuring a growl from my inner beast.

“Because you’re mine, Avery Brown. All mine.”

I pulled her to me, making sure she had ample time to refuse before I slid my lips against hers, claiming her mouth like I’d been dying to for months.

She moaned sweetly, and I swallowed the sound, capturing her response and making it a part of me. My Grizzly rumbled his approval.

The animal couldn’t wait to stake our claim. But she was human. I had to take it slow.

“I’ve got a confession,” I said, kissing her again.

“What?”

“I’m a novice here, Honey. You’ll have to tell me if I do something wrong.”

“A novice? You mean you’ve never been with a woman?” she asked, and I could sense her surprise.

“Never,” I confessed the truth.

“But how? Why?”

“My Bear wouldn’t allow it. The beast never wanted anyone’s touch. He was waiting, you see.”

“For what?”

“Not what. Who,” I corrected her. “See, my Bear was determined to abstain from sex until we met our fated mate, Avery.”

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