Page 29 of Wooded Bliss

“I want to be more than a bear for you. I want to be the man who deserves your love, who deserves to be your partner.” Her eyes widen and I kiss her forehead, savoring the way she feels in my arms. “I have a plan. I’m going to spend more time in Whispering Pines because it is where you are. I never want you to give up your shop, you’ve worked too hard for it. But I also can’t stand being away from you.”

“I don’t want to be away from you either,” she says as she buries her face in my neck and nuzzles me. “You’re everything I need already, Thatcher.”

She might not be a bear, but sometimes she does things which are so much like a bear that I forget. This woman. My woman. She’s everything.

“As I figure out where I belong in Whispering Pines, I’d love for you to consider moving in with me.”

Birdie pulls back from me and looks at me with her mouth gaping open. “Move in with you?” As I nod, the biggest, brightest smile spreads across my mate’s face. “Of course,” she shouts and throws her arms up like she’s celebrating.

The movement surprises me, but I have a firm grip on my woman. I’ll never let her fall.

This time it’s her mouth that slams into mine. She kisses me with passion, taking the lead and showing me just what I mean to her. I give myself over to her, knowing she needs this moment. The way she’s willing to take it is sexy as hell.

“And when I move in, you can mark me,” she murmurs against my lips.

It’s not easy to remind myself we’re standing in the middle of her shop because all I want to do is bend her over the closest surface and bury myself balls deep inside of her.

Soon. Very fucking soon.

I let her slide down my body, the glint in her eye telling me she knows just how much she’s torturing me and is enjoying it. “Now,” I insist, “show me your shop.”

My mate glows as she shows me every nook and cranny of her flower shop. Even though I didn’t realize it was possible, I fall a little more in love with her as she does.

CHAPTER 12

THATCHER

It’s only been a few hours since I left Birdie to finish up her day, but I’ve been busy. Some of the things I’ve gotten going won’t produce fruit right away, but they will with a little time. However, there’s one thing I won’t wait to make happen.

I just can’t do it.

When I pull up to Birdie’s place, I grab half of the boxes in my truck and the tape gun. I don’t even get up to the top step of the porch before the door swings open and my mate is looking at me with wide, surprised eyes.

She cocks her head to the side and amusement starts to filter into her gaze, “What do you have there?”

“Boxes.”

The smile on my mate’s face is so damn bright and full of joy that I can’t help myself as I close the distance between us. Not caring at all about the boxes under my arm, I lean over Birdie and kiss her. Her hands grip my shirt, and she presses herself as close to me as she can get.

She looks dazed when I pull back and I can’t even express how much I love the look on her face. I’m going to be the one to put that same look on her face every day for the rest of her life.

“I can see that,” she steps backward into her house and pulls me along for the ride. I follow her without question or hesitation. As if I want to be anywhere else. “Why do you have boxes?”

“We’re going to get started packing you up.”

Birdie’s mouth falls open before she throws her head back and laughs. I love the sound of her laughter; it makes my heart fill full, and I find myself staring at her and soaking up every moment. Fuck, her laugh is wonderful.

“You want me to start packing today?” There’s no derision in her voice, just curiosity, after she’s gotten herself under control. “I thought we’d, you know, make a plan about when I’m moving in and then execute the plan.”

“Nope,” I kiss her forehead as I walk past her deeper into the house and straight into her bedroom, which feels like a good place to start. She walks in behind me and I’m relieved when I look over at her to find her smiling. “I see no reason to make a plan when we can just go to executing the plan.”

“Just like that?”

I stand the boxes against the wall and then put the tape on top of her dresser before closing the distance between us. After cupping her face in my hands, I look deep into her eyes. “I can’tgo another night without you in our bed. I know it’s the place where you belong. It’s the home we’re supposed to share.”

“We won’t be able to pack everything up tonight,” she bites her lip, clearly trying to hide her smile even though her voice is filled with amusement.

“I know,” I sigh, “but we can get the process started. I’ll be roping my brothers in to help when it comes to the big stuff. We’ll make room for everything if it’s what you want. It’ll be your home, and you can move things, redecorate, or whatever you want. Anything to make you comfortable in your new home.”

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