Page 16 of The Bear's Forever Mat
It was a pristine location, where the clean white snow spread out like a wedding dress. She parked beside Cooper’s truck, took a deep breath and headed to the porch.
The key she’d gotten from the host turned smoothly in the lock, and a moment later she’d slipped inside the woodsmoke-scented space. The curtains were pulled back, and sunshine fell across the wooden floor in wide bands. Oddly, a shiny silver chain looped like a snake back and forth across the floor’s surface, but the bed was where her attention settled.
Cooper was stretched out on the home-style quilt, breathing heavily. His chest heaved as if he’d just finished a race. His face was folded in a grimace, pain drifting over his features.
Something inside Amber broke. If nothing else came of this week other than her easing that pain, it would be worth it.
She slipped off her shoes and removed her coat. She wasn’t particularly quiet, although she didn’t speak. Still, Cooper lay oblivious to her presence.
Alrighty then. Time to go big since she wasn’t going home.
Amber laid a hand on the mattress and stared down at him. “Cooper?”
No answer. Just a low moan of pain.
The sound wrenched her heart tighter, and she couldn’t bear it. “Cooper. I’m here. It’s going to be okay.”
Another moan, and Amber broke. She crawled on the edge of the bed so she could lean over him. She stroked his face, then knelt beside him to balance better. “Cooper. Open your eyes. It’s me, Amber.”
His hands rose to her hips. Big strong hands that grabbed her tight before one eased up her back, applying pressure until she leaned over him. Closer. Closer.
Amber pressed her hands to his chest. She whispered softly, hoping to break though whatever cage he’d built around himself. “It’s okay, Cooper. I’m here for you. Whatever you need, I promise I’m ready for it.”
His eyes opened, and it was the bear staring at her.
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It couldn’t be real. Cooper swallowed hard and decided the fact he was currently daydreaming about the woman he wanted with a deep obsession had to be some weird trick of the mating fever that kicked in once a man passed thirty-five.
“No.” The word escaped in a rush. “You’re not really here. Youcan’tbe here. Imaginary-you needs to leave, right now.”
Amber tilted her head to one side. Considered. Shook it in denial. “Can’t.”
Cooper curled himself upright, cursing inwardly as that brought him right against her soft curves. His hands shook as he lifted them, planning to physically grab her and lift her away. Time was ticking.
Hmmmmmmm.
Yeah. The arrival of his bear was part of what he was worried about.
Don’t do anything. Don’tthinkanything,Cooper warned.
It was too late. A flood of desire raced through him, initiated by his bear half. Dirty images of what should happen next arrived in high-speed, high definition—and the thought of rolling Amber under him, stripping her naked, and licking her was the tamest of them.
The chain attached to his wrist clicked, and her brows rose higher. “Cooper. What have you done?”
“Was taking care of business.” Speaking was tough and getting tougher because all the blood in his body had pooled in the section of his anatomy centered under her hips.
Amber caught his wrist in her hand and lifted, examining the heavy cuff. “Isn’t this a little over-the-top and, at the same time, useless? If the idea was to lock yourself away for a week, great. Only your bear could break this in an instant.”
What a brilliant idea. One that in his current state of Racing Toward The Edge Of Desperation, he’d never have come up with on his own.
He’d deliberately come to this place to avoid seeking Amber out before it was appropriate. At the same time, he’d promised to honour the pledge he’d made with his brothers. That meant no shifting to escape this mating fever.
But if it came to a choice between them and Amber, she won every time. Alex and James would more than understand, considering the situation.
Only, when Cooper tried to change into his bear form, nothing happened. He still felt Amber’s weight resting on his very human anatomy, and dear Lord, in a minute he was going to do something they’d both regret.
