Page 33 of Wooded Bliss

“Thatcher,” I sigh while struggling to take in what he’s said to me.

He wants to be close to me. He’s opening a store in Whispering Pines. He’ll be spending a lot more time in town even though it’s the place he’s avoided for ten years.

I wrap my arms around Thatcher’s neck and pull him down to me before I slam my lips against his. He lets me control the kiss and I pour everything I feel for him into it. All the love. All the gratefulness. All the understanding.

How can I not love this man? He’s opening a store, something he never aspired to do, just to be near me all day, every day.

Some people might feel like it’s too much, being next door to my mate and not having any time away from him. The thing is, I don’t want to be away from him any more than he wants to be away from me. I’m more than happy to be close to him all the time.

Tears well up in my eyes as I pull away and look up into the dark eyes which are like a window into my soul. He’s become a part of me.

“I’m so proud of you,” I whisper against his lips.

My big, giant of a man and bear shifter melts against me. It’s only when someone clears their throat that I remember we have an audience. I slowly pull away and turn to find the other three Bosch men grinning at us.

Grady whines, “You’re not going to make us do all this work while you just make out with your mate, are you?”

I can only shake my head at him as I giggle. Thatcher looks like he wants to beat the shit out of him, but Grady only grins. He’s clearly used to my mate’s reaction. Honestly, I think he thrives on annoying his brothers, especially Thatcher.

Still, I know how much love exists between the four Bosch men. They’ve been through a lot, and they’ve faced it all together. But I don’t think they’d be embracing their full brotherhood if they weren’t annoying each other.

These men are masters at it.

Thatcher kisses my forehead and whispers, “I need to get back to work. Will you meet me over here when you close up?”

Joy fills me because with a single question, I can imagine how awesome this set-up is going to be. We’ll be right next to each other and be able to see each other throughout the day whenever we want.

Thatcher can say he’s doing it to be close to me, and I think it’s true, but what he doesn’t realize is he’s taking his life back by doing this. I could burst with how much love I have for this man.

“Of course,” I kiss him softly before I back away. If I don’t leave quickly then I’ll never want to leave.

Ripp claps his hands after I give a wave to the Bosch men who have become like brothers to me. “Okay, we need to figure out where we’re going to put the workshop area because it’ll have to be soundproofed. We better do it right or else Thatch will have one pissed off mate.”

I can’t help but giggle as the door to my mate’s new storefront closes behind me. I’m practically floating back to Blooms Happen. Knowing Thatcher is right next door does not help me concentrate. The rest of the day drags on.

When it’s finally time to close up, I heave a huge sigh of relief and get through my closing duties quickly. Just as I reach for the handle of Thatcher’s store, the door swings open and the Bosch brothers file out. They take a moment to hug me and kiss me on the cheek as they pass. They all earn growls from Thatcher as he looks on.

I can feel how much affection the guys have for me. I know part of it is because of the changes they’ve seen in their brother,but it’s not the only reason. They’ve opened up to me and showed me who they are; I’ve done the same in return.

They’re good men and I can’t wait to see them all find their mates, especially Grady. Whoever is destined to be the other half of that guy has to be extra special.

Thatcher reaches for me and snags me around the waist to pull me against his broad chest. He tugs me into his store before closing and locking the door behind me. Since I was by earlier, the brothers have covered all the windows with brown paper to keep all the nosy as hell citizens of Whispering Pines from being able to look in.

“Need to be inside you,” Thatcher growls and I can see his bear peeking out at me through his eyes.

When he buries his face in my neck and his lips ghost over my mate mark, my pussy gushes and I practically climb my mate like he’s a sequoia. He’s about the size of one.

I melt against my mate as little whimpers fall from my lips. The way this man can play my body with just a few simple touches, especially if they involve my mate mark, is fucking criminal.

I’m not really complaining though. Bring on the worship. Bring on the tingles.

Thatcher carries me through his shop, his strides long and sure, until we reach an office space tucked away in the back. The only thing in the room is a desk, but it certainly looks like it has seen better days, probably because it was left behind years ago.

My mate sets me down on my feet, grips my shoulders, and spins me around until I’m facing the desk. His touch is gentle and firm as he pushes me down until I’m bent over and rightwhere he wants me. The way his large hands slide over my body has me panting.

“There’s no better way to christen my new shop than by bending you over this desk and fucking you until you can’t remember your own name and my cub is in your belly,” he growls.

The moan I let out is borderline embarrassing, but then Thatcher is reaching around me, unbuttoning the jeans I’m wearing, and practically ripping them down my legs along with my panties. My mate doesn’t give me any warning before he shoves his dick inside of me with a brutal thrust.

---