Free Ski Bear (Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance) (Rescue Bears Book 5) by Scarlett Grove Page A

highest point and the steepest grade. He came off at the top and got into position, ready to bomb the hell out of this downhill run. Zach launched himself down the mountain, gaining speed with each meter he flew. Exhilaration grew in his belly as he prepared himself for the first jump.
    There was a jump point coming up. He glided toward it and launched off of it, twisting himself around and head over heels at the same time.
    He landed gracefully on his skis, going faster than any human could handle. He sliced his skis into the snow in a quick switch, back and forth down the steep slope. When the second jump point came into view, he put himself into position to gain speed. He hit the jump with full force and pummeled over, twisting and flipping all at once.
    His skis slid fast over the powdered snow, and Zach flew down the hillside at unimaginable speed. As he came to the bottom of the slope, he slid to the side and slowed himself. His skis sent a spray of snow high into the air in front of him as he skidded to a stop.
    A group of awestruck tourists watched him as he reached the bottom of the hill. He smiled at them and skied off to the lift. Waiting for a gondola to take him back to the lodge, he felt his phone ping inside his pocket.
    When he was in his seat, he pulled it out and took a look at the screen. Maisie had sent him a message through Mate.com.
    “I had a great time skiing yesterday. I can’t wait to go again.”
    He smiled at her message, but Zach knew it didn’t ring completely true.
    Maisie was his fated mate. He could feel her feelings inside him and the connection was growing stronger every day.
    He knew that the trip out to the ranger tower and back had been too much for her. Part of him regretted dragging her out there. But he also knew they both had a fantastic time, even if the physical exertion was something she wasn’t used to.
    He didn’t want her to pretend to be into something that she wasn’t. He made a mental note to make sure she knew that he liked her exactly as she was. Maisie didn’t have to pretend to be into skiing just to make Zach happy.
    He’d realized he’d been doing the same exact thing until yesterday. He’d been so worried that she wouldn’t think he was sophisticated enough for her that he’d been pretending to be someone he wasn’t. He was done with pretending.
    Pleasuring Maisie was the most satisfying experience he’d had in his life, even if he’d left the tower feeling like he might explode from unsated lust.
    What mattered most was that he gave her what she needed. There would be time for him to bury himself inside her warm body. Until he knew she was absolutely ready for him, he would focus on her.
    Zach was beginning to think Maisie would be ready to make love to him by the next time they saw each other. They hadn’t come to any agreements yet, but he could feel it deep inside himself.
    He could feel her inside him.
    As he slid off the gondola at the lodge, he got another text message. This one was from his realtor. He had a house he wanted Zach to see.
    He rolled his eyes. None of the houses the realtor had brought to him had been even remotely right yet. The problem was, Zach didn’t even know what he was looking for. He just knew that he’d know it when he saw it.
    He skied over to his cabin and took his skis and boots off at the front door.
    After he changed into his street clothes, he went back out to his truck to drive out to the new house his realtor suggested. He was ready to give Maisie a home. No more holding back.
    Then he pulled up in front of the two-story craftsman style house halfway between the lodge and town. It was in a quiet neighborhood, at the end of a cul-de-sac. He parked in the big turnaround driveway, thinking that he could build a skate ramp out there when the snow melted.
    He took the stairs up to the big front porch. Two rocking chairs sat empty and waiting for someone to sit in them.
    He punched the code into the lockbox and took