Page 32 of The Bear's Forever Mat
Which was considerate, because no matter how much she wanted to prove she accepted both sides of this man,whoa, Nellie, he was big.
Big head, big paws. Big body now settling to the ice as he rested his chin between his front paws and looked up at her.
Waiting.
Amber marched forward, dipping low enough she could brush a hand through the thick fur on the top of his head and his neck. Slowly she worked her way around him, getting used to the feel of his fur under her fingers. Estimating the distance around his torso and deciding that if push came to shove, she could probably ride him—not that she was going to say that out loud.
When she finished her leisurely stroll around the behemoth that was Cooper, she returned to his head. “Okay. I have zero desire to arm wrestle you in this form, but I can see why the girls call their mates cute.”
Cooper lifted his head, disapproval apparent in his eyes.
“Sorry, but it’s true. I mean, you’re also intimidating and massive and a mighty predator,grrrrand growl and all that. But gosh, you’re also cute.”
The bear pulled back his lips into a smile and razor-sharp teeth came into view.
Amber had been expecting it, so while her heart rate picked up a little, she knew it was all in fun. “Don’t sneak up on me, that’s all I’m saying. I might tackle hug you.”
Cooper the bear rolled his eyes so hard he ended up on his back, legs waggling in the air.
Amber gathered her courage and slipped beside him, leaning into his side and laughing.
Connection growing.
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14
Cooper was head over heels in love.
He was also standing knee-deep in the open water of the riverbank where Amber had ordered him to get fishing, but all in all, he was very pleased with how the past few minutes had gone.
Isn’t she awesome?he asked his bear.
The creature rumbled a little, slightly distracted by the fish darting below the surface. Mostly not wanting to admit the truth.
Go on. Admit it. Amber is awesome, and she totally dealt with your big furry ass without freaking out.Maybe there was a way to shortcut the mating situation before any of the dire issues Alex had mentioned became true.
I like her,his bear admitted. She’s trying, but she needs to find her brother. Otherwise she’s going to spend all her time wondering where her family is instead of becoming our family.
And there again, Cooper couldn’t argue with the logic. Which was annoying, considering his bear’s stance on logic.
For the next fifteen minutes, he gave in to the other side and thoroughly enjoyed chasing the silvery salmon. Once he had a nice selection, he sat down and waited to see what Amber would do.
She’d had been watching him fish, and she stepped forward right away. Her approval was clear as she stooped over the pile of fish still quivering on the riverbank then nodded at him. “Very nice fish. Well done.”
Okay, she is kinda cute when she’s trying to suck up, his bear said.
But then the damn creature had to go and shake.
A shout of dismay rang out from Amber. By the time Cooper pulled himself back together and shifted to human, it was to discover her glaring at him. Water dripped off the end of her nose and from the ends of her sleeves.
He shrugged. “Oops?”
Amber rolled her eyes at him then shook herself, rather unsuccessfully in his estimation. “Fine. Get dressed and you can help me deal with the fish.”
Which was when Cooper discovered that despite all the training his grandmother had insisted he and his brothers complete while in human form, parts of his education were lacking.
The fire did nothing but smolder. Plus, when he picked up a fish to help Amber clean it, he had no idea what to do.
