Page 35 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

She forced a faint, shaky laugh. “I know. I’m sorry.” Tipping up on her toes, she placed a swift, light kiss on his cheek. It was an instinctive move, one she instantly regretted.

What was she thinking?

Kris froze, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected gesture. The warmth of his skin lingered on her lips as she pulled away, her face flushing with embarrassment.

“I…” she started, but the words caught in her throat.

Kris’s hand came up slowly, his fingers brushing the spot where her lips had touched his cheek. The gesture was almost reverent, and his eyes, when they met hers, held something wild and tender all at once.

“Cassia,” he whispered.

The night air seemed to crackle between them, charged with unspoken feelings. For a heartbeat, Cassia thought he might close the distance between them, might pull her into his arms and kiss her properly. Part of her—a growing, insistent part—wanted him to.

But instead, he took a deep breath and stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides.

“Goodnight,” he said, his voice rough with restraint. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the moonlit path. Cassia watched him go, her heart aching with a longing she couldn’t fully understand. Only when he disappeared from view did she finally step inside and close the door behind her.

The guest house felt emptier than it had before, despite its cozy furnishings and warm lighting. She leaned against the door, eyes closed, trying to make sense of the tumult of emotions coursing through her.

What was she doing? Kissing Kris on the cheek after explicitly telling him they should keep things professional? After her ex had just called begging for another chance?

She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions. The vineyard, Kris, Bear Creek—they all felt right in a way her life with Dante never had. But was that real, or was she just running from one bad situation into another?

But in her heart, she knew. Knew that her dream of marrying Dante had been just that, a dream, a fairy tale.

Whereas this new life, and her feelings for Kris, were real. But did he feel the same way?

Or had she blown it all up with that stupid kiss?

However, when she pressed her fingers to her lips, still tingling from the touch of his skin, and recalled the expression in Kris’s eyes, she realized the kiss was anything but stupid.

Chapter Thirteen – Kris

Kris lay flat on his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling, as he had been for most of the night. The kiss—herkiss—kept replaying in his mind. That light, soft touch on his cheek had stirred something deep inside.

Every time his thoughts circled back to that kiss, a tingling warmth spread out from where her lips had grazed him. As though the memory of her touch was seared into his very being.

You’re turning into a lovesick fool,his bear teased softly.

Maybe I am,Kris admitted.But I don’t care.

He let out a restless sigh as he adjusted his position. Staring at these four walls all night hadn’t brought him sleep, only an endless loop of Cassia’s face—and that ex-fiancé phone call that threatened everything.

He rolled onto his side and glanced at the clock on his nightstand, 4:13. Not that he’d need to look, his internal sense of time already told him it was close to dawn.

Useless,he thought.I’m never going to sleep.He swung his legs off the bed, standing in one fluid motion. No point fighting it.

Still can’t stop thinking about that kiss,his bear murmured, half-laughing.And that was just her cheek. Imagine if she’d gone for the lips…

Kris felt a twist of longing shoot through him.A man can dream,he answered wearily.

Oh boy, so can bears,his bear said with a dramatic sigh.

Kris raked a hand through his tousled hair, frustration battling with a flicker of amusement.You’re not helping.But deep down, he was thankful for his bear’s unwavering confidence that things would turn out all right between him and Cassia.

They have to,his bear added with equal confidence.

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