Free Called by the Bear 1-3 by V. Vaughn Page A

manages to be about half of what Brady eats, and I'm reminded of Annie telling me he likes girls who enjoy food.
    When we've finished, Annie brings us another bottle of wine. Sierra and I can't help ourselves and clear the plates to the kitchen before she tells us to just sit and talk.
    Keith explains how the wholesale lumber business works while Sierra hangs on his every word. He runs that portion, and I have no doubt Sierra will be happy working with him. His quiet way will allow her to be the center of attention when they're in public, and I suspect he knows how to stroke her ego too. They're a good match, and I don't think she's going anywhere.
    We learn that Annie runs the retail operations and that they own a series of gift shops throughout the state that sell Maine-made products. I turn to Brady. "What do you do?"
    Keith answers, "He's the CEO."
    Brady speaks, "Before that I bounced around all our businesses to make sure I knew every aspect to prepare for where I am now."
    Annie chimes in, "So, Carly, you won't have to work ever again if you don't want to. If I were you I'd be thrilled to just stay home and raise a family."
    And there we go again. My body reacts at the thought of how to make that family while my head is freaking the heck out over how fast this is moving. But I think Annie is expressing her dream that can't come true, so I say, "That does sound lovely. I guess we'll have to see."
    Brady leans close to whisper in my ear. "I like the idea of you staying home to raise our children, but it's up to you."
    My eyes fall to my tribal paw print. I always said the first tattoo was a life-changing event that shouldn't be done on a whim and should mean something so special living without it was hard. I thought giving myself this tattoo broke both my rules, but I'm beginning to think maybe it didn't.
    Sierra and Keith are talking, but neither Brady nor I are listening. His hand is on mine, and he's stroking my skin with a finger. When I look into his eyes, I'm lost in the depth of them. My mate. Will this be the father of my children and the man who makes me happy for the rest of my life? He seems so sure, and I hope some day I will be too.

16

Chapter 3
    C arly

    B rady stands . "Come with me. I want to show you something."
    As we walk by the table, I notice Sierra and Keith are deep in conversation and don't even look our way. Annie gives us a smile from the kitchen, and I wonder when it was she started cleaning. A flicker of guilt crosses my mind because I should be helping her, but it passes quickly when I return my thoughts to the physical presence of Brady.
    He takes me to the stairs, and our feet beat together as we climb up them. We continue on to another flight that leads to a cupola-like structure on top of the house. There are windows in every wall and on the ceiling.
    The view is stunning, and I gasp when I see the stars. The sky is so black that they look like tiny diamonds on velvet. "I love this room." The air is chilly, and I wrap my sweater tighter around my body, but the strong arms that pull me back against a rock-wall chest practically sear me.
    Brady nuzzles my hair. "It's one of my favorite places, too."
    I turn in his arms and press my breasts against his chest. A shaky breath escapes my mouth when I look up into his eyes.
    "Can I kiss you, Carly?" He leans down, and his mouth is inches away from mine.
    I answer by reaching up to meet him. The strong cords of his neck are under my hand, and the muscles flexing mimic the quivering of my core. He nibbles gently, but I want more and dart my tongue into his mouth as an invitation. He takes it, and our kiss becomes a frenzied connection as I lean in and try to fill every crevice of his body with mine.
    Large hands cup my butt as he easily lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. I don't think I've ever been with a man big enough to do this. There is no doubt about his desire as his erection presses against my panty-clad sex. Our mouths