Page 49 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“Speaking of experience,” Finn interjected, “if this is going to work, we’re going to need a chef who knows what he is doing and is willing to work with us on the menu.”

“I can ask Uncle Leo if he has someone he can recommend,” Kris said.

“Good idea.” Philip nodded.

“Why don’t the two of you head over there now?” Finn suggested as he rolled up his plans.

“We were going to work on the barn,” Kris said.

“Finn is right. Finding a chef should take priority,” Philip said. “It won’t matter how good the recipes are and how wonderful the wine is if the dishes are not cooked to perfection.”

“Philip does have a point,” Cassia agreed.

“And I’m here,” Finn said. “I can spare a couple of hours to work on the barn. You two go and speak to Uncle Leo.”

Kris considered his brother’s words, his eyes drifting to Cassia. The thought of spending time alone with her, away from the vineyard, was too tempting to resist.Much too tempting,his bear rumbled in agreement.

“What do you think?” he asked Cassia.

She nodded. “I’d love to meet your uncle. And if he can recommend a chef who understands the vineyard’s vision, that would be invaluable.”

“It’s settled then,” Finn said, clapping his hands together. “You two head into town while we handle things here.”

Don’t look a gift bear in the mouth,his bear said. They both found their brothers’ meddling amusing, since their hearts were, as always, in the right place.

“All right,” he agreed, unable to keep the eagerness from his voice. “We’ll be back in a few hours. Call if you need anything.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Finn called out.

“Yeah,” Philip added. “Take your time. No rush.”

Kris shot his brother a warning look, but Cassia just smiled, her cheeks tinged with pink. “I’ll grab my purse from inside.”

As she stepped away, Finn moved closer to Kris, lowering his voice. “Fate, huh?”

“Fate,” Kris replied, his eyes never leaving Cassia as she collected her things.

“Well, you certainly look...happier,” Finn observed, a teasing note in his voice.

Kris rolled his eyes. “Don’t start.”

“What?” Philip joined in. “We’re just noticing that our serious, all-work-no-play brother suddenly has a spring in his step.”

Kris snorted softly. “You two are impossible.”

“Maybe,” Philip conceded with a grin. “But you love us, anyway.”

“Most days,” Kris muttered as he stifled a grin.

Cassia reappeared, her purse slung over her shoulder, a light jacket draped over her arm. The sight of her made Kris’s heart stutter. Even in simple jeans and a blouse, she was breathtaking. His mate. The reality of it still felt surreal.

But the taste of her on his lips, the memory of her sighs, as he pleasured her—these were very real, and they belonged to moments he would cherish forever.

Chapter Eighteen – Cassia

Cassia walked toward Kris’s truck, her entire body still thrumming with the aftershocks of his revelation. And of the pleasure he’d given her moments ago. She couldn’t decide which had left her more lightheaded, learning that her mate could actually shift into a bear, or the memory of how he’d touched her, bringing her to a shuddering climax with a precision that felt almost impossibly intimate.

Maybe it was both. Definitely both.

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