Page 65 of Bear In A Bookstore
“Have you decided what you’re going to name her?”
Desi slipped an arm around her shoulders as they watched the dog play with a sock.
“I was thinking Treasure.”
“I like it.”
They’d made so much progress in the month and a half since finding the box filled with Spanish gold inside her bookstore walls. They’d donated the box to the Historical Society and had the board open it during a public viewing. The whole town was there, and the story made national headlines. Kora had posed proudly with Ben and Desi for photographs, and was glad that finally, her name might be remembered for an epic treasure hunt and not her violent past. And her books, too, though that seemed less important now. Earl had been arrested, and she was glad his attempt at an organized heist had garnered less attention than the treasure.
She’d finished the fantasy novel and shelved it with an immense sense of pride at having created something new, and from the heart. But her first love was writing thrillers. She was good at it. And the whole fiasco with Earl had given her a renewed excitement about writing it. Not to say she wasn’t still processing what had happened.
She was, with the help of a new therapist who seemed to understand her a little better and had ideas that seemed to be working. Kora wasn’t all the way there, but she was making progress with Desi by her side. He’d had a long talk with his family about working in the construction business and stood his ground on wanting his own life. Dax understood, and his father had backed off with the promise to support Desi in his new life without pushing.
Some of the fear had faded away, for all of them, and things felt more peaceful.
Plus, the bookstore was almost completed, and she couldn’t be more excited. She told herself that she hadn’t made concrete plans to stay in Estes Park quite yet but knew that was a lie. This place had grown on her. She was spending more time with Allie, and Allie’s sister-in-law Cara who had returned with Jett from a trip. Holding the babies was no longer terrifying and she’d even joined the book club at Blackwell Church and was next in line to pick a title for the group.
This place was quickly turning into home. And the more time she spent with Desi, the more she couldn’t imagine leaving him. Besides, L.A. was no place to raise a puppy.
Desi scooped up Treasure and gently placed her inside her oversized dog kennel. The puppy whined for a minute, then buried inside her blanket and pillow and went to sleep. Desi took her hand and led her to the couch.
“I have something for you.”
Kora arched a brow. “Oh, really?”
They’d been nearly inseparable since the night Earl had forced her to the mine. Desi was either spending the night here, or she was at his apartment. With the puppy now, she suspected he’d move in with her a bit more permanently. The idea was exciting, nerve-wracking, and comforting.
He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. Taking her hand, he flipped it over and placed a gold chain in her palm. The ring he’d found at the Angel’s Mouth was attached. She sucked in an awed breath. The gold band had a slight gleam, but the ruby was brilliant.
“I took it to someone who appraises and restores old jewelry. She gave it a very gentle cleaning, just enough to remove the grimy build-up without damaging the integrity of the piece.”
The ring was small, too small to even fit on Kora’s pinky finger. She imagined the petite woman who may have worn this centuries ago. Lifting the chain, she watched as the ring gently swayed back and forth in the soft living room lights.
Desi took her hand and held it tightly. “You’re my mate, Kora Meredith. My heart and soul are tied to yours forever and they have been since the moment we met. I know you’re not ready yet, but this ring is a placeholder to the one I’m going to slip on your finger when I make you my wife.”
Hope swelled in her chest, expanding her heart. She was feeling so much more now than ever before, and it was wonderful. He undid the clasp and moved to place the necklace around her neck, but she stopped him and caught his eyes.
“You can put that on meafteryou’ve taken everything else off.”
His breath left in a rush, his eyes darkening. Setting the necklace and ring on the coffee table, he scooped her up in his arms and took her to the bedroom. Kora lifted her arms so he could whip off her shirt. His lips pressed against the sensitive dip in her neck as he trailed kisses along the length to her collarbone. Kora looped her hands around his neck with a contented sigh. He knew just how to touch her, taste, her, enflame her, until she was crying out his name. Each time they came together was like a renewed first time and she couldn’t get enough.
Digging her fingers into his shirt, she pulled at the material until it bunched over his back, and he slid it off. His gorgeous chest gleamed in the soft light, every dip and rise bare to her touch. Kora ran her hands over his musculature, reveling in the feel of his pure strength. Kneeling between her legs, he nipped and kissed his way to her chest and made quick work of her bra, flinging it free and cupping her breasts in his palms.
Bursts of pleasure rippled over her body as he lightly thumbed her nipples until she squirmed with the sensations, then took them in his hot mouth, one by one. His hand trailed down her belly, his expert fingers freeing the button on her jeans. Kora lifted her hips as he pulled them off her, then her underwear. Needy and demanding, she lay naked beneath him and reached for his jeans, tugging the button, and pulling the zipper. Desi just smiled, knowing how much she wanted him, but making her wait anyway.
He languished kisses and heat-evoking touches over her body, attending to every sensitive place he knew drove her crazy. She was on fire by the time he moved over her and nudged her thighs apart. Kora pulled down his underwear and gripped his thick, hot cock. The fat head glistened with his eagerness for her. She grinned at his groan as she swirled her thumb over the tip.
Tipping her chin, she begged for his kiss. Desi crushed his mouth to hers as he slid into her. Her entire body jolted with the sensation, which grew by greedy increments as he inched his way fully inside. She raked her nails over his back, lightly touching the scar on his shoulder as he drove into her. Wrapping her legs around him, she took everything he gave her and still wanted more.
His name tumbled from her lips as the pleasure built and crested, teasing her with a fast, hard release. She cupped his face in her hands. His hips slammed into her, his eyes glassy and dark. Watching him, clinging to him, she met his thrusts until release found them both.
She crumbled into his arms, her brain already begging for sleep even as the orgasm still swirled in her blood. He took everything out of her, always, in the sweetest way possible.
Desi flung an arm over his forehead just as the puppy began to whine. He groaned.
“It’s your turn,” Kora said lightly. “I was up with him all night last night.”
He looked at her and grimaced. “Fine. Fine, but I don’t want to hear any complaining.”
