Page 20 of The Beast of the Mountain
“She’s a determined little one. Hard-headed. Just like her Daddy.”
After catching up for a few more minutes, we end the call, and I make my way outside. We’re supposed to head down to Whispering Winds—the old bookstore was revamped not too long ago and they’re having a grand re-opening.
“Dada,” Autumn squeals when she spots me. We’re still working on ‘Mama,’ but she’s resistant—everything’s Dada to her right now.
“Mama,” Bear says, “Look it’sMaaaa Maaaa.”
I smile because he’s really trying to get her to call me Mama.
“How are my two favorite people in the world doing?”
“Better now that you’re here.”
A warm, fluttering sensation spreads outward from my chest, bubbling into my throat as Bear leans forward and kisses me softly. Even though it was tender and brief, it leaves me light-headed and wanting more.
The sound of thunder rumbles in the distance as the air dips a few degrees on the back of a soft breeze. “We may not make it to the bookstore,” Bear says, surveying the sky. “Storm’s coming and I want to keep my girls here where they’re safe.”
I love how protective Bear is of us. I always know I’m safe and loved. Whenever I feel stressed all I need is to hear Bear’s gruff voice or feel his callused hand on the back of my neck and I feel better.
“You might be right. It’s been a while since we had a storm. I think this one’s going to be big.”
“Da. Da,” Autumn whispers, reaching out for me.
“Looks like someone wantsMa Ma. Ma Ma.”
I snort as Bear lifts Autumn off his shoulders and hands her over to me. She’s getting so big. It’s crazy to think she’s just over a year old now. I give her a kiss, shoving my face into her as she laughs.
When I bring my attention back to Bear, another fluttering sensation radiates through me. There’s so much love in those big eyes. In those strong arms. He might look like a big, scary beast, but he’s nothing but kind and gentle.
If either one of us is in danger though… the beast comes out. He knows when to turn it on and when to turn it off.
“I made the list,” I say, bouncing Autumn on my hip.
Bear’s eyes flare as his jaw drops. “You made the list?”
“I made the list.”
He scoops both Autumn and me into his arms and twirls us around before setting us back down on the ground. “I told you. I told you it would happen. You’re so talented.”
I can’t help but blush as Bear continues to lay on the compliments. Bear can be stoic with his emotions sometimes, but when it comes to me, he doesn’t hold back. There’s never been a moment where I haven’t felt appreciated or loved. He’s truly proud of me and that makes me feel better than making any best-sellers list ever could.
“How do you want to celebrate?” he asks.
“With you,” I say. “In bed. In front of a raging fire. On the couch and on the ground.Everywhere.”
Bear swallows hard. His pants bulge. And his hands open and close as he stares at me. “How much longer until Autumn goes to bed? An hour?”
“Three,” I whisper.
“I’ll make us some dinner then. We’re going to need all our energy for tonight.”
He leans in, kissing me only this time he doesn’t hold back. It’s deep, his tongue stroking mine urgently as I moan into his lips. If he keeps this up, it’s going to be absolute torture waiting.
When he pulls away, grabbing Autumn from my hip as he rasps, “Now get inside and rest up.”
I smile, my core heating up as Bear stares at me intensely.
“Okay,” I say, turning around.
