The rising sun cast its colors on my mate’s skin. Goddess help me, I should call out to her. Respect her more than to gawk from behind a tree, but I couldn’t move if I wanted to. My bear had anchored me in place, enjoying the view just as much as I was.
In the distance, I heard Aldrin and Saber call out her name, still looking for her.
I was so selfish that I hoped they took their time. They were worried as I had been before discovering her here, but I wanted to be selfish. Brand this vision of her in my mind.
Holding my breath, I inched forward, closer, but still behind a tree.
I should say something. Call out her name. Anything but stand here and stare like a pervert.
The wind picked up, and as it did, she stood up tall, inhaling a long drag of air through her nose. She made no attempt to put her hands over those perfect tits or cross her legs trying to hide anything else.
So it took me by complete surprise when she turned and squinted. In the most normal tone of voice, she said, “All right, which one of you is it?”
I said nothing and then she put her hands on her hips.
I was in trouble, in more ways than one.
Chapter Seventeen
Posy
“Which one are you?” I called. “And why are you hiding like that?”
“It’s me.” He emerged from behind a tree—impressive that the trees were so big these bear shifters could hide behind one. “Judah. And I didn’t want to startle you.”
“I see.” I stood straight up, suppressing any embarrassment in the name of pride. “I’m not startled.”
“No, I get that.” His gaze settled on me, taking in every inch of me from head to toe, from nipples pointed with the cold to ankles I didn’t even know could get goose bumps. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I said, forcing myself not to cross my arms over my chest. “I grew up with shifters, and you expect me to be shy?”
“I’m sorry because I didn’t just walk up and tell you I was here. I’m glad you are not trying to hide your beauty. But I think you’re cold, and you’d better come out and get dressed so we can get back to the others.”
Trying to lift a foot, I shivered. “I-I am not sure I can move. I’m just too frozen.”
“Then I’m coming in to get you.” He bent at the waist to unlace his boots then stepped out of them. “We didn’t dream of a mate all these years only to lose her to frostbite.” Rolling up his pant legs, he strode into the stream and lifted me into his arms. “You’re so cold. Why did you come down here, anyway? To catch your death of pneumonia?”
“N-no.” She shook her head. “I needed a bath.”
“And in twenty-degree weather, you thought the best way to do that was in snow melt? Instead of waiting until we get back to the campground where you can use that big tub in your trailer?” He marched out of the stream and onto the bank, reaching downfor his shoes and socks and picking them up while holding me with one strong arm. “Can you handle these until we get to where we spent the night?”
I took the shoes and socks he should be wearing instead of walking barefoot. “Of course, but I need to put my clothes on, too.”
“What a shame,” he muttered. “To cover up something so beautiful.” But he did set me down long enough to dress. “And with such inadequate clothing.” Shrugging off his jacket, he wrapped it around me before lifting me again and starting back for the trail. “If you’re going to travel with us, you’ll need to be better prepared.”
Travel with them? Beyond this week?
Did I dare hope?
“I’ll need some guidance,” I told him, resting my cheek on his chest. “This is the longest trip I’ve ever been on, you know.”
“We should have helped you sooner,” he soothed. “Sometimes, we forget other people aren’t used to living out of a suitcase for weeks on end with everything they need. It’s an art we didn’t learn overnight, either, and I could tell you some stories. For example, the time we went swimming with the sharks, and the company managing the cages was, shall we say, less than reputable?”
“Oh no!” I stopped shivering, I was so shocked. Also, I was wrapped in his jacket and held tight against his warm body. “What happened?”
“Picture this. You’re out in the middle of Shark Lagoon—our nickname for it—and you didn’t bring any of your own equipment because they promised to have everything you needed.”
“So that sounds good.” I tipped my head back to look up at his face. “But I’m gathering it wasn’t?”
