Page 7 of Bearly Mine
Finally, Mom sat back and nodded to Dad. “We should go now. We have plans for dinner. But it was lovely to meet you, Lily. I hope we see you again soon. Walk us out, Dean?”
As soon as we stepped outside, Mom turned to me and pounced. “Is she your mate?”
“Yes, but she doesn’t know yet.”
Mom threw her arms around me. “Oh, my baby boy found his mate. It’s wonderful. She’s wonderful.”
“As long as I can convince her to stay.” I frowned. “She’s talking about having to move away for work.”
“That shouldn’t be hard. It’s not like she needs to work. Between you and the community, she’ll be fine.”
“I don’t think she’ll go for that. She’s very independent. And she wants to teach. She-” I paused as a thought occurred tome. “Mom, how about setting up a school for the younger kids? Instead of everyone homeschooling. Lily can teach them.”
Mom’s expression lit with excitement. “The elders have actually considered expanding the school. It’s just been a challenge to find the right teacher. I’ll talk to them. I’m sure they’d be glad to help your mate.”
“You should discuss it with Lily first,” Dad said. “Make sure she’s okay with it.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, honey.” Mom nodded at me. “It’s the perfect solution. Now go get your mate.”
Lily
While Dean was outside with his parents, I decided to see what I could make us for supper. He had done so much to help me, and I needed to return the favor. Even if it was just cooking his own food. When he returned, I was gathering the ingredients to make a pasta dish. “I hope you don’t mind that I went through your cupboards and fridge. I thought I would cook dinner.”
“Make yourself at home.” He joined me at the counter. “What can I do?”
“Nothing.” I stood behind him, pushing against his back, guiding him to the stools on the opposite side of the island. I wasn’t strong enough to move him, but he allowed me to direct where I wanted him to go. “You’ve done more than enough for me. It’s my turn to do something.”
“It’s been my pleasure to help you. And I’ll keep helping as long as you’ll let me.” His voice was deep and quiet, his words sincere. They weren’t just social graces. But it was still difficult to accept. I should be able to take care of myself. I needed to takecare of myself. And right now, the only way I could do that was by giving him something in return.
I busied myself with chopping up vegetables and browning the meat while I heated water for the pasta. Cooking was something I enjoyed. Since Maddie wouldn’t let me pay rent, I insisted on feeding her as often as our schedules lined up.
Dean and I chatted as I worked, lighter topics than we had discussed earlier. It surprised me how, despite our different backgrounds, we clicked so well. We didn’t listen to the same music, or read the same books, but we were able to talk about why we liked what we did, and he had me laughing as he showed me how he danced to his favorite classic rock songs. He was not graceful, but he was very enthusiastic.
He insisted on setting the table for dinner and helped me carry the food over. He surveyed the spread, frowning. “There should be wine. I don’t have any, but one of the other guys might. Want me to grab some?”
“Beer is fine.” I grabbed a couple of bottles from the fridge and handed him one. “I’m not a big wine drinker. It wasn’t a staple at the college parties I attended.”
We dished up the food, and Dean took a bite before groaning. “This is so good.”
“It’s nothing special.”
“It’s very special. You made it for me.” He placed his hand over mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I really appreciate it.”
My cheeks heated. Butterflies danced in my stomach as his heavy gaze held mine. Our plates were next to each other at the table, and I leaned toward him as he ducked his head closer to me. He gave me time to pull away, but I wanted his lips on mine and his arms wrapped around me, so I closed the distance between us and brushed my mouth against his, resting my hands on his chest, which vibrated beneath my palms as he let out a low rumbling purr.
It amazed me how a simple brush of lips caused the reaction in me it did. It wasn’t just a physical ache, though that was there, urging me to move closer. But also a flare of emotions, a warmth inside telling me this man touched something in my heart. Something that before now no one had ever even approached. A flash of fear struck me. I was leaving myself vulnerable to him, but at that moment, I didn’t care. I wanted more.
He quickly took control of the kiss, his large hand cupping my face gently before his fingers delved into my hair. I was near breathless when his lips slipped from mine to my chin, then down my throat as he guided my head back to give him access. He nipped at the skin lightly, following the little bites with soothing licks. I whimpered, arching toward him, wanting more. I dug my fingers into the muscles of his chest and wriggled closer to him, almost off my seat and on his lap.
He growled, and part of my brain told me I should be afraid. This man was half bear, after all. But my instincts were driving me nearer to him, not away. And god, did I want to listen to my instincts right now. I slid my hands up his chest to his face, the stubble of his five o’clock shadow rough against my palms. I urged him to come back to my lips, and he granted my wish. But he slowed his caresses, eventually pulling away, only to return with a series of soft kisses before stopping entirely and pulling even further away with a groan.
“We need to talk.”
FIVE
Lily
“How much do you know about shifters?” Dean watched me intently, as if he was trying to read my every thought.
