Free Beret Bear (Rogue Bear Series 3) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers Page B

rushed over their shoulders. “Or I could do this.”
    Her eyes flew to his as he adjusted her against his waist. She smiled and pulled her legs on either side of his torso.
    “Your bear is very active.” She smiled.
    He nipped at her bottom lip. “He has a lot of lost time to make up for.”
    She sighed as she felt his cock sliding between her legs.
    “Don’t let me stop him.” She fastened her hands to his shoulders. The hot water swirled between them.
    Gage looked at her. “Fuck me, baby.”
    “Ohh,” she moaned as she sank onto his hard shaft. The ripples of intensity exploded through her as she floated up and down on him.
    They held onto each other, surrounded by heat, drowning in their desire for each other until their bodies consumed the other. Avery clutched at Gage and held him while they each shuddered under their release.
    “Is this real?” she whispered.
    He held her in his arms. “It is.”
    She looked up as the last rays of pink hid behind the mountain. “We better get back to the inn. It’s getting dark.”
    Gage laughed. “Scared of the dark?”
    “I grew up hearing the stories about the wolves and bears out here.” She studied him. “Maybe your relatives.”
    “Maybe.” He helped her from the spring and grabbed their clothes from the ground.
    Avery shivered, trying to shake the water from her arms and legs before struggling to pull the sweater and jeans over her damp skin.
    “I didn’t bring a flashlight or anything.” She looked for signs of the trail.
    He threaded his fingers through hers. “Don’t worry. I can see just fine.”
    She looked up at him. It was going to take getting used to. The love of her life was a bear.

24

Gage
    H e followed closely behind Avery’s car on the motorcycle he had borrowed from Glen. He had driven into town on this same road. Blown in with a puff of smoke and a need to escape the demons from Razastan.
    But those demons were the ones that had driven him straight to Avery. He parked on the street in front of the inn.
    He waited for Avery on the front steps.
    “I feel different,” she said.
    “I do too.” He brushed the hair back from her face.
    They stood facing the doors. On the other side was where they would start their life together. He never pictured himself a small town guy, but it had happened. He knew the name of every shop owner. He knew how ingrained the town was in Avery’s life.
    “I can’t leave St. Claire, Gage.” She squeezed his hand. “Is this where you want your life?”
    He didn’t need to give her a ring or the dress or even a damn date on the calendar. What bonded them together was much stronger than that. He’d do anything for his mate, but what she was asking for now was easy. It was the easiest decision of his life.
    “It is. It’s where you are. It’s where we’ll raise our cubs.”
    “And the inn? You’re ok with it?”
    He nodded. “Of course. A retired Green Beret needs a hobby, right?”
    She smiled. Her hands looped around the back of his neck. “I’ve never been this happy in my life. Never.”
    He pressed his forehead to hers. “I didn’t know I could be happy. I didn’t think I deserved it.”
    “Oh, Gage. Of course you do. I want to make you happy. You’ve been through so much.” She looked in his eyes. “Is this too fast for you? Maybe you need more time to sort out…”
    “Hey, no doubts.” He had never been much for words. He always thought actions said much more. He could show Avery how he loved her better than he could tell her. She would learn more about his bear the more time they spent together.
    She would know she was the parachute that finally let him drift to the light. She was worth staying for. She was his perfect mate.
    “Wait, you said cubs?”
    He nodded. “Oh yeah.”
    She swallowed. “How many?”
    His hands cupped the side of her face, drawing her lips upward. “Let me take you inside.”
    He felt her pulse quicken under his palms. “We have guests tonight,” she