Redeem the Bear (Bear Valley Shifters #5)(34)

She was so close and he lifted the back of one of her knees, his muscles straining as he rammed into her even deeper. This was it. “Brooks,” she panted. His name on her lips seemed to send him over the edge with her.

“Aah,” he yelled as he bucked against her hard one last time.

Throbbing heat shot into her as she exploded around him. Floating and falling all at once, she closed her eyes against the dizzying ecstasy. She wanted him inside her forever, connected just like this. Here she could see into his soul. He shared himself with her when they were bound like this.

“Corin.”

“Mmm?”

“Corin, have I hurt you?”

Was she sore? Hell yes. The man was huge, but hurt her? No. It was the only way he knew to show her the affection he was incapable of doing when they were just talking. Such intimacy with the man she adored could never hurt. Inhaling deeply against his throat, she smiled and shook her head.

His shoulders relaxed and he slumped forward with a relieved sounding chuckle. She lived for that sound on his lips and she smiled wider as she nuzzled his neck.

“You said my name,” he mused.

“I won’t call you Daniel anymore, and I won’t compare the man you are now with my childhood memories of you.” She sighed happily against his skin. “I love you, Brooks—the man you are today, not the boy who you used to be.”

He eased back and the chill had dimmed from his gaze. In its place was a look of pride and awe.

“Corin,” he said, searching her face.

She froze under the intensity of his gaze. “Yes?”

“I love you, too.”





Chapter Fifteen



Corin’s cheeks heated with a creeping shyness as Brooks cast her another glance. He couldn’t seem to stop looking at her. She understood. She had been drinking him in as much as she could too.

With a devastating smile, he leaned forward and kissed her, then pulled her knuckles to his lips. The walls between them had been demolished since he’d said the words she was afraid he would never be able to.

He had slid out of her in the shower, and the warmth of his pleasure had streamed down the inside of her legs. He had guided her gently under the warm jets of water, and cleaned her as he had in the tent. Wrapping her in a towel, he’d carried her to the bed and laid beside her, then talked for hours about the years they had missed together. He was still hesitant to tell her everything, she could tell, but someday he would trust her as completely as she did him. She could be patient and wait for that bond.

He’d made love to her again, slowly and with such reverence, she had wanted to cry afterward. This was it—the reason she hadn’t chosen another man in their ten years apart. She was meant to be here, with him, as they healed each other.

“When do you go back?” The question had been tugging at her heart, but afraid to ruin the magic of the day, she had swallowed it down time and time again. Now they were headed to dinner at Riker’s house, hiking slowly up the trail that would lead them back to civilization. Time alone with him was running out.

“Tomorrow,” he answered, looking straight ahead.

One more day with him didn’t seem nearly enough. “When will I see you again?”

His face looked pained and he shook his head, as if to clear it. “I don’t know. I can’t leave my people, not when the rules have changed so much for them. The Long Claws need guidance if they are going to be redeemed.”

A pang of painful sadness stabbed through her chest, but she understood. He had fought too hard just to leave them to rebuild their treachery. His people needed to be rehabilitated into a civil society they had never known. One with laws and councils, and Brooks was the only shifter strong enough, and with enough influence, to see it through. She couldn’t ask him to leave his duties and people behind.

She still had the cell phone he had gifted her, so there was that. It wouldn’t be the same as looking into his eyes and touching him. She would hear his voice though, and that would have to be enough for now.

The field in front of Riker’s house was filled with Bear Valley shifters, as well as Brooks’ new council members.

Corin frowned. Perhaps this hadn’t been the exclusive party she had assumed when Riker invited her. How was she going to do this? She felt so raw and upset about her and Brooks’ impending separation, and now she was going to have to put on a brave face and mingle. They would be able to sense how upset she was, and she wasn’t prepared to explain her feelings.

She hesitated as they approached. Maybe no one would notice if she didn’t attend. Everyone was talking in groups and laughing and the barbeque grills were fired up in the back. People were eating and enjoying themselves and surely she wouldn’t be missed.

“I can’t do this.” Her voice sounded airy as she pushed it through closing vocal cords.

“What’s wrong?” Brooks asked, squeezing her arm comfortingly.

“I have one day with you, and it’s going to hurt so badly to say goodbye to you tomorrow, and I can’t go talk to everyone and pretend that I’m not falling apart inside.” Her weak admission came out in a rush.

“Corin!” Hannah hailed, waving.

Joanna, and Anya tugged on their mates’ hands and the crowd surged closer. Great. They were probably coming to greet Brooks, and she’d be the weeping psychopath trying to hide behind Riker’s giant truck.