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Louisa walks over to the bookshelf I’ve been filling with a haphazard mix of mystery and fantasy books. “You have an awesome collection,” she muses, perusing the spines with genuine curiosity.
“You’re welcome to anything up there.” Everything I have is hers.
She turns back to me, and our eyes lock, the tension crackling between us. There’s something deeper here, something more than just physical attraction.
“Wanna sit?” I offer, motioning to the couch.
“Sure.” She smiles, and the tiny gesture causes my breath to freeze in my chest. Fuck. She’s so goddamn perfect. As she sinks into the couch, I follow, positioning myself close enough for our combined warmth to radiate around us like an electric current. The world around us fades into the background, leaving just the two of us locked in our own moment.
“Dinner smells wonderful,” Louisa says, leaning back against me, her head just barely brushing my shoulder. The sensation sends a warm rush through me, igniting every protective instinct buried deep within. My inner polar bear stretches beneath my skin, trying to get closer to my mate.
“I can’t take credit for it,” I admit, wrapping my arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer, and feeling the tension settle into something comforting. “I can’t even boil water, so I ordered dinner from Papa Bear’s Italian Eatery.”
“Papa Bear’s, huh? Is that the place everyone raves about around here?” she asks, glancing up at me with those captivating eyes. I swear, they shine like emeralds, and they’re way too expressive for my own good.
“That’s it.”
“Wow. So, you pulled out all the stops.” She turns slightly to face me, her curiosity palpable. “What are you planning for an encore?”
I glance down at her, trying to determine the best way to weave my thoughts into something tangible and engaging. “Well, I figured we’d have dinner, maybe watch an awful movie or two,” I start, feigning nonchalance. “And maybe see what mischief we can get into.”
Her eyes widen in surprise, and that silky laughter spills from her lips again, washing over me like a welcome tide. “I’d love to get into a little mischief with you.” As she grins up at me, all my hunger for food melts away, leaving only the intense desire for my adorable mate.
In that moment, I realize I’ve already dove headfirst into a wild and everlasting love. As our laughter settles into an easy rhythm, I know my inner bear was right. My mate is absolutely perfect.
