A BEARy Happily Ever After (Bear Clan 6)

“Rue,” I found myself saying. “Rue Franklin.” God, I’d just told him my name, that personal information falling from my lips like melted butter from a dish.

“Rue.” He said it deeply, his focus on my mouth.

I felt a chill race up my spine at the way he said it, at the way it sounded coming from his mouth. The way his pupils dilated, the fact that his body seemed to get bigger, his muscles more masculine, powerful, had every feminine part of me heating… softening.

“Mine.”

And at that lone word that was a deep growl from his mouth, I knew this was the beginning of the end.

And I’d never anticipated anything more.

Chapter Three

Damon

“Rue.” I said her name over and over again, the way it sounded turning me on like a motherfucker. “I’m Damon.” I wanted her to say my name… scream it out as she came.

A chill raced up my spine, covering my entire body. I wanted to touch her, to see how soft she was, how she felt fully pressed against me.

I looked down at her lips, watched as she licked them, felt my focus becoming unclear as my animal rose up, and I wanted to fuck her right here against the tree. Words spilled from my mouth, whispered low, unintelligible, because I was so fucking lost in this moment.

I’d found her. Finally. She was mine.

I cupped her cheek and smoothed my finger over her flesh. She felt good. Right. Perfect.

“Mate,” I said deeply, not stopping myself, not giving either of us any time.

I couldn’t stop myself, not when her mouth looked so tempting, so fucking flawless.

Before I knew what was happening or even processed the situation to give her time, I placed my lips right on hers. She gasped against my mouth, and I groaned at her sweet, addictive flavor.

I felt her tense, but only a second passed by before she melted against me. And when I stroked the seam of her mouth with my tongue, all I wanted was for her to surrender to me the way I was for her.

My heart started to jackknife behind my ribs. My bear paced, growled to get out.

She braced her hands on my biceps, her nails digging into my skin. I thought she was going to pull me closer, open wider so I could delve my tongue into her mouth, but instead she gently pushed me back. I had to use a lot of fucking control to pull away, to break that kiss.

And against everything inside me that said to keep her close, I stepped back. I smelled her hesitation, her confusion… that sliver of fear.

But I fucking smelled her pleasure above all else.

I didn’t want my mate feeling any of those other things.

She looked over my shoulder at the fucker lying on the ground. I heard him groan and start to stand. But I kept my focus on her.

Always on her.

I watched as she lifted her hand and touched her lips, her gaze unfocused as if she was thinking about it.

“This is insane,” she whispered so softly only a shifter with heightened hearing could make the words out. “I have to go,” she said, louder this time, and looked at me with wide eyes.

I let her walk past me to the asshole, but before she was out of reach, I grabbed her wrist gently. Sparks of electricity slammed into my body. I heard her gasp and knew she felt it too. We stared into each other’s eyes.

“You can run, but I’ll always find you.” And then I let go of her and watched her and the prick leave. But the entire time, Rue kept glancing back at me, the scent of her lingering arousal filling my head and making me drunk.

* * *

Later that night