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NINE
MILA
Fated mates. The truth of the matter lay heavily on Mila’s shoulders, and she wasn’t sure how to process it. She knew about shifters, sure. But the idea of a physical, emotional, serious relationship with a shifter was not something she had ever considered before this moment.
Not that she wouldn’t date one, of course. The situation had just never come into Mila’s life. She was a fated mate to not only a shifter, but a polar bear shifter who was meant to be her boss, provided she was offered this job.
After a day that was like a dream, Cyrus’s confession over dessert was like being tumbled by a wave at the beach. She felt like her world was on the spin cycle. She couldn’t tell which way was up, and she was almost out of breath.
Now, Cyrus was taking her to a secluded part of the woods on Siskiyou Mountain. After parking in the White Rabbit parking lot, Cyrus led her off in the direction where no pedestrians would hike. Slowly the signs of civilization had faded from sight.
Maybe this would be terrifying if she didn’t know he was her fated mate. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon, and they were hiking into the dark of the woods. They stopped where there wasn’t a single trail, and they were surrounded only by the sounds of nature.
He removed his clothes, and Mila flushed bright red. The hike had already warmed her cheeks, but her blush took her face to another level of heat. She almost couldn’t peel her eyes off the mostly naked man in front of her, but when his hands got to his boxers, her eyes lowered to a particularly diverting pinecone.
Suddenly, a flash of bright fur caught the peripheral of her eye. She looked up at the fluffy creature standing in front of her. Looking into those deep black eyes, she could see it was still him. All the soul that Cyrus had as a man reflected in his polar bear eyes.
He was as handsome as a polar bear as he was when he was a man. About as long as he was normally tall, his strong legs and giant paws would terrify someone who didn’t know who he was. His head seemed disproportionately small to his massive body, and she suppressed a giggle.
She was surprised that his fur was not quite bright white, not the way that you imagine polar bears in the wild. Of course, he didn’t live in a constantly snowy winter, so his fur was a little closer to a light gray than white. Still, it was very clean, unlike the bears she had seen rolling in the dirt at the zoo.
She stepped tentatively toward him, knowing it was him but still slightly fearful. She was looking at a wild animal but also at Cyrus. She started to circle around him, his eyes patiently watching her.
Once she had made a full circle, she reached out with a shaking hand and felt the soft fur on Cyrus’s neck. His fur was super soft and thick, like a good winter coat. His eyes closed in what she assumed was pleasure as she stroked his fur back toward his shoulders.
He nudged her with his snout, his cold and wet nose surprising her. He was beckoning her to do something, and when her senses came about, she realized he was asking her to climb up on his back.
He lowered to the ground, and she swung a leg over him like she was mounting a horse. Sitting on his back was like sitting on a bale of hay, with the small exception of the ridge of his spine. She leaned down onto her belly to hold onto his thick neck.
Suddenly he took off at a running pace, and Mila found the wind blowing her hair back, tangling the beautiful curls that the salon had provided. She felt such exhilaration as he picked up speed, and she watched the trees flying past them.
She let out a triumphant laugh, feeling on top of the world. For a moment, the world was perfect. The mountain air, the smell of the trees, the warmth of Cyrus’s body beneath her, and the faint smell of citrus all calmed her down to her soul.
Of course, the joyride had to come to an end. Cyrus had circled back to where he had left his clothes. She slid off his back and gave his neck one more stroke before he trotted to where his clothes lay.
Mila did not avert her eyes this time as the polar bear became a beautiful naked man. The chill in the air didn’t seem to bother him, be it the polar bear in him or the running. He was a picture of beauty.
She turned quickly, so he wouldn’t know that she was looking. After his clothes were on, she heard his footsteps coming toward her. She swiveled around to him.
He was no more than a breath away, and it caught Mila by surprise. A good surprise. She lowered her eyes, suddenly self-conscious.
“This is all so much. It’s so crazy …” Her voice was a whisper, but she drew her body closer to him, keeping her face turned down.
“Is that all right?” he breathed back, taking her hand in his and entwining their fingers. The other hand brushed the hair out of her face and then slid down her cheek.
“In my head, it is too much … and yet, in my heart, it is not enough.” She lifted her face to his, their noses almost touching.
“What would be enough?” His lips hovered over hers. Her body was becoming desperate to close the gap.
“If this perfect moment never ended.” Her head was dizzy, and her heart was beating like a hammer in her chest. “This just feels right.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
His lips were on hers in a moment, taking her fast and hard. If she had any breath in her lungs, it was gone now. His hands were in her hair, trapping her in this kiss. Not that she would dream of breaking it, her body completely entranced at this moment.
Her hands slid up his broad chest and paused about her shoulder height. The rest of her body pressed into him, trying to find a way to make their bodies fuse. He shifted against her, and she felt his rock-hard erection trying to break free of his pants.
He lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands cupped her ass and hoisted her closer to his face. Her arms were around his neck, and one hand was on the back of his head. Her brain was spinning from the intensity of their tryst.
