Page 50 of The Bear's Blooming Mate

As the last stone fell into place, water began to pool in their makeshift dam, clear and sparkling in the midday sun.

“It’s working!” Elsbeth exclaimed, kneeling beside the growing pool of water.

“Of course it is,” Philip replied with a playful wink. “Did you doubt me?”

“Never. You’ve proven yourself quite reliable, Philip Thornberg.”

Something about her tone gave him butterflies. Without thinking, he dipped his hand into the cool water and flicked a few droplets in her direction.

Elsbeth gasped, eyes narrowing playfully. “You did not just do that.”

“Looks like I did.”

She stared at him for a moment, then retaliated with both hands.

What followed was nothing short of glorious chaos. They splashed and dodged, laughter echoing through the trees as they soaked each other. Elsbeth’s shriek when he got water down the back of her neck had Philip laughing so hard he nearly fell over.

This is how it should be,his bear said, rumbling with delight.

For those few precious minutes, they weren’t a vineyard manager and a flower farmer. They weren’t even adults. They were simply two souls, having fun.

When they finally collapsed on the grass beside the spring, breathless and dripping, Philip couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so light.

And if this is how things have to be for now—just friends—I’m okay with it.

More than okay,his bear said.

You’re right,Philip said as he stared up at the sky, his mate by his side.

He was happy.

Chapter Fifteen – Elsbeth

Goodness, Elsbeth could not remember the last time she’d laughed so much. Or felt so free.

Or so wet!

Or so happy.

She turned her head to look at the man lying beside her. It would be so easy to turn onto her side, place her hand on his chest and nestle closer.

She felt drawn to him like a flower turning toward the sun. The water dripping from her hair and clothes seemed insignificant compared to the warmth building inside her chest. His eyes met hers, and the world around them stilled.

Philip reached over, his fingers gentle as they brushed a wet strand of hair from her cheek. The touch lingered, his palm cupping her face with such tenderness that her breath caught. Time slowed as he leaned toward her, his gaze dropping to her lips before meeting her eyes again, asking a silent question.

She answered by closing the distance between them.

Their lips met. Softly at first, a gentle kiss that quickly deepened, igniting a fire in her core. The kiss was everything she’d imagined and more—slow, deliberate, filled with unspoken promises. His hand slid to the nape of her neck, fingers threading through her damp hair as he drew her closer.

Heat surged through her body, her hands finding their way to his chest, feeling his heartbeat race beneath her palm. She melted into him, savoring the taste of spring water on his lips and the earthy scent that was uniquely Philip.

When they finally broke apart, Elsbeth kept her eyes closed for a moment, afraid that opening them might somehow break the spell. That perhaps she’d imagined it all.

A flutter of anxiety rippled through her. Had she hurt his feelings last night? Is that why he’d pulled away? She’d worried she’d ruined everything when she’d cut him off, changed the subject before he could say whatever he’d been about to tell her.

But he was here now, his hands still cradling her face as if she were something precious, so perhaps she hadn’t ruined anything after all.

“It’s full,” Philip said suddenly, his attention shifting to something behind her.

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