Page 24 of The Bear's Forever Mat
Amber took a deep breath then lifted her gaze skyward. “Freaking shifters.” She opened the door and gestured him out. “Come on, Cooper. Let’s get that fresh air.”
He moved slowly so as not to startle her again, and once they were outside, things seemed to improve immensely. Cooper stomped through the snow to create a path, and Amber followed behind. Close enough the mating fever didn’t make him twitch from lack of contact but far enough that she wasn’t tripping over his heels.
But he didn’t follow through on his original idea, which was to make a game for them to play outside. Instead they took a simple walk together. It still felt good, but something small and tight irritated him inside—and then the mating fever flared, and he was no longer thinking about anything except the woman he wanted.
Cooper shifted on the spot.
Amber gasped in surprise, then gasped again as he reached down to catch hold of her pants in his big fists. “Cooper?”
“Is that a yes?”
She nodded immediately, thank God, because his next move was to rip her clothing apart just enough to be able to pick her up and take her on the spot, her arms and legs wrapped around him.
The winter air snapped against his naked skin, but the heat of her sex countered it perfectly, and before too long she was screaming his name, oblivious to where they were.
The next four days passed quickly, yet Cooper never felt as if they were rushed. They took long showers, followed by leisurely times where he’d dry her off with great attention to detail until her skin was glowing. Amber was a drug that called him back again and again.
It was eight days after the fever begun when Cooper knew they had reached the end. They’d curled up together on the porch swing for a final cuddle before checking out of the cabin, a heavy blanket wrapped around Amber as she leaned against his side. Her head rested on his chest as they looked over the snowy clearing they’d walked in every day.
“Cooper?”
He nuzzled his chin against the top of her hair as an answer.
She adjusted position until she could look up at him. “What’s happening with the mating fever? I mean, you’re coming off the actual fever part, but has anything changed?”
He’d been dreading her asking, because something was definitely wrong. Or more specifically, nothing seemed to be right. “I have loved every minute I’ve spent with you, and this isn’t the end, but I don’t feel any different than when I started.”
She responded decisively. “We knew there were no guarantees. Maybe I’m not meant to be your mate.”
A sudden flash of anger hit. “Screw that. I don’t give a damn what the mating fever says, you’re the one I want to be with. Period.”
“Cooper. You can’t organize a mating like that.”
He straightened, dragging her fully into his lap so he could cup her chin and stare her straight in the eye. “Watch me.”
Amber shook her head. “I know how important it is to have a mate. Lara and Kaylee have told me exactly what it means, and there’s no way I want you to miss out on that.”
“I’m not going to miss out on anything because youaremy mate. We obviously missed a few details along the way.” He bumped his nose into hers. “Let me go talk with my bear. Maybe he has some ideas.”
When Cooper nudged his inner animal, he got back an instant response.
She’s got no room for me.
The statement made no sense, but it was said with such clarity Cooper figured it wasn’t some off-the-cuff comment.
You got any more details to share? I want her as my mate. She says she wants the same thing, so neither of us are holding up the mating bond from kicking into place. Which means it’s you…
She likes you,his bear agreed. He spoke slowly as if reluctant to explain, but it was a necessary evil.Likes me in safe settings, but bear is wild. She needs to lovemethat way too.
Dawning comprehension arrived. There had been too many times over the years for him to not notice exactly how Amber reacted when she was around his shifted form.You can’t make someone not be afraid of you,Cooper pointed out.You are a big dangerous beast.
His bear sniffed delicately.I know that, and that’s the side issue. The big issue is she has no room for me. Not yet.
You don’t make any sense, you know. After spending all that energy teasing me to get together with her, and all the possessive growling this week every time another man was mentioned, it makes no sense that you’re not claiming her this instant.
I’m a bear. I don’t have to be logical.
Cooper wanted to shake the beast, but Amber was looking at him with tears in her eyes, and he didn’t want to prolong her agony. All he knew for sure was that he wanted to wipe away her sadness and find a solution.
