Page 4 of Her Embarrassed Bear Mate

“You’re reading me like an open book.” She leaned her head back too. “I know nothing about you except that you’re moving against your will. Why? Bad landlord?”

“No, bad mother. Well, no, that's not fair to my mum. I’m the one being difficult.” Alix took a drag from the cigarette in a way that made it very clear this wasn't the firsttime she smoked.

Unlike her trying the whisky.

Veronica smiled just thinking about it.

“What?” Alix asked.

“Nothing, just thinking you’re cute.”

Alix smiled and leaned in, connecting their lips once more. Unlike the kiss inside that had been wild and heated and charged, this one was softer and slower. There was the aftertaste of smoke and the softness of Alix's tongue, it made heat settle in Veronica’s stomach.

Going out and hooking up with a stranger wasn't her thing either but right now, she truly felt tempted.

When Alix pulled away, she was grinning. “See. You are fun.”

Veronica wondered if this was something Alix did often but she decided she didn't care. To a degree, she was glad she didn't know anything about the other woman. It felt freeing to not care if the person in front of her was a shifter, or if they were from the right family, or whether they were looking for the same thing in life. There was just Alix and her soft lips and the wonderful heat in Veronica's stomach that was growing more and more demanding with every second.

“Where are you staying tonight?” Veronica whispered.

Alix potentially looked surprised but pleased too. “Depends. Do you have any suggestions?”

“I have a hotel room that’s very empty. I could use company.” It was a bold proposal, one that was out of character for Veronica but she could tell Alix was keen and for once, she just wanted to feel wanted.

Alix gave her a dazzling smile. “Okay.”

THREE

Alix

Alix was slightlydizzy by the time they reached the hotel room, the alcohol hitting her at full force now she was no longer dancing. She abandoned her jacket on the ground and almost tripped over her own feet when she kicked her shoes off. The carpet was soft and fluffy which suited the room. Even in her drunk state, she could tell it was far more luxurious than any Alix had ever been in. There was fancy tea on the table, upholstered chairs that looked comfortable and weren’t bolted to the floor, and a high-thread bedspread. She didn't have long to admire the room, Veronica’s handswere all over her and Alix could feel the heat building in her body. She couldn't remember the last time she’d been touched like this, so desperately and eagerly.

Desire sparked through her body, intensifying every graze and touch and press from Veronica’s. It was intoxicating and made her head spin in a completely different way.

She bumped into the edge of the raised bed and lost her footing. The springs in the mattress creaked comically loudly as she fell down on it and the sound made Alix explode in laughter.

Veronica watched her with an amused expression. “You okay?”

Alix snorted and bounced herself up and down, using the mattress like a bouncy castle. The shrieking sound tickled her and she couldn’t stop laughing. “This is fun.”

“You’re adorable,” Veronica remarked as she pulled her top off and dropped it on the floor.

Instantly, Alix's attention was drawn and she sat back, blatantly admiring the woman in front of her. Veronica’s blue bra had little flowers on it and as pretty as it was, Alix just wanted to rip it off. She sat up and pulled Veronica into her so she could reach around for the clasp. Despite opening a bra every day, her fingers were notcooperating.

“I’ll do it,” Veronica said, reaching behind and letting the bra fall away with a grin. She undid her belt and pushed her expensive-looking trousers down, wiggling her hips seductively while she did.

Alix admired the little show, fully aware that she would never be able to match that elegance even if she were sober. Her gaze latched onto the elegant marking just above Veronica’s hip. As large as the size of a hand and composed of elegant swirling lines, it was no doubt a bear mark.

It was beautiful and Alix was mesmerised.

Without thinking, she brushed her fingers over the raised lines. “You’re a bear shifter? Or is it the mark of your fated mate?”

“So you're aware of what these markings mean?” Veronica looked surprised but pleased. “So it’s true what they say about the city. It is a public secret that shifters live in the nearby cottageges.”

“I don't know about the city, but I grew up in Crescent Valley. I know all about the shifters who live there,” Alix declared, proud of her hometown even if she didn't always love it.

“Ahh, I see.” Veronica smiled. “And I’m a bear shifter. Hope that doesn't scare you off.”

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