Page 36 of The Bear's Forever Mat
Cooper kept her anchored, though, his kiss bringing her to here and now. Exactly where she wanted to be. His touch was so caring, so careful, and the love growing in her heart welled up even stronger.
The two years of admiring him had been a lead-up to now. These past days getting to spend time with him—with Cooperandhis bear— had been the missing piece.
Cooper the man was everything she desired. He was smart and sexy and caring. Cooper the bear was equally awesome—his animal side had a wicked sense of humour and a stubborn determination to do what was right.
She’d been upset at first, she could admit it now, that his bear had stopped the mating from happening. But the inner beast was right. Amber had a part inside her that was distracted from forever, needing to know what had happened to Mason and her parents.
Discovering answers was important. But even more, getting to find out the truth with Cooper at her side—
She rolled with him, her clothing miraculously vanishing before they touched skin to skin. Cooper nibbled the sweet spot under her ear that sent goose bumps flaring in spite of the heat.
Sweet caresses. Touches that scorched her from within and brought need flaring to the surface.
And when Cooper slipped his hips between her legs and lined them up intimately, Amber held his face in her palms and stared into his eyes. Seeing not just the man, and not just the bear, but the whole person. This unique shifter who washers.
Cooper slid home.
He paused, then took her to the pinnacle in long, languid strokes. Each movement concentrated and intense, repeated over and over until he’d pushed them both into blinding pleasure.
The fact that the roof of their snow cave fell in just after they came was somehow the perfect finish. At least once they’d both finished shouting in surprise.
They both found their clothing and dressed rapidly, crawling out of the cave and into the bright but windy day.
Amber made a face as she glanced around. “What a mess. I assume these bumps are the gear I lost when I crashed.”
Cooper was already digging equipment free. “It’ll take a while to gather it, but we should be okay. As long as the sled starts.”
Famous last words.
An hour later they were surrounded by everything they could find, tarps flapping in the strong wind. Amber poked the hunk of metal that was their now-uncooperative sled with her toe. “There goes that plan.”
“I guess we have to go to Plan B.” There was teasing in his voice.
Stranded in the middle of the wilderness, an icy wind blowing, and Amber couldn’t remember being happier. She grinned at him. “How far away from town are we?”
Cooper checked the GPS he’d managed to dig out of the snow. “Couple of hours, if the weather holds. The wind is actually helping us because it will keep our gear from being covered up again.”
Amber nodded briskly. “Then we need to get to town.”
He hesitated. “It’s a long way to walk. How about if I go first—”
She didn’t bother glaring, she justlooked. “You are not leaving me behind.” Besides, if she remembered correctly, his couple of hours to their destination might not be an impossible distance for her.
Cooper didn’t argue. “You’re right. Sticking together is better. I’ll grab us backpacks.”
“Wait. I have an idea.” She headed to the skid they’d pulled behind the sled and started rummaging through its contents.
“The skidoo is a goner,” Cooper said, “Unless you’re also a secret mechanic and can MacGyver it back into working order.”
“I’m pretty sure I spotted something when we did the transfer…” A sense of satisfaction raced through her as she pulled out a set of skis and the fabric bundle that had been tucked to one side. She held them in the air triumphantly. “Ta-da!”
Cooper sat back on his heels and nodded slowly. “Cross-country skis are better than walking.”
She shook the fabric at him. “This is for kite-boarding. Put togetheronebackpack, and I’ll wear it. Your bear can run with me.”
Delight shone on his face. There was approval in his every move as he came over and wrapped her up in a huge hug. “Every time I find out something new about you, it makes me even happier.”
The wordsI love youhovered on her lips, but she held back. Just kissed him quickly then hurried to get her gear in place.
