Free BearTrapped by Jaide Fox Page A

and never let go . She settled for cupping his square jaw , and the way he pressed his face into her hands caused a warm, tingling sensation to travel down her arms and shiver her spine . She withdrew reluctantly when he nodded toward the path. Snow fell harder, clumping on her shoulders and in her hair. The temperature dropped, but she hardly noticed. “ Or what? Will he return?”
    He shook his head , taking her hand as he led the way back to their retreat. “He knows you’re u nder my …,” He glanced down at her. “P rotection.”
    Braeden pushed through the deepening snow, clearing a path for her as the incline steepened. She appreciated his grip on her hand, aiding her through the pass. They were soon back to their cave. She shook her cloak out, and he buried his catch beneath the snow just outside the entrance , cleaning his hands before joining her inside. Kimber didn’t remove her cloak, for the air was chilly without their fire.
    “Let me get this going again,” he said, slinging his hands dry before gathering kindling. Kimber watched him in silence, breathing a sigh of relief as the spark caught and flames ate the bundled wood.
    He glanced around as he straightened from his crouch. “You cleaned. I thought you didn’t like home-making.”
    She draped her cloak across the wood pile to dry near the fire. When she turned, her face was inches from his chest. She tilted her head to find him looking down at her with hooded eyes. A breathlessness caught her lungs. “I…can be persuaded into a role. Sometimes.”
    Braeden caught her arms, rubbing them up and down as if trying to warm her. “You need warming. Your arms are like ice.”
    She shuddered. “I have been in need of a bear hug. ”
    “I’m happy to oblige,” he murmured, closing her in his embrace.
    “I was so worried about you. I’ve never been so scared,” she whispered as she cuddled against his chest, enjoying the scent of his skin which peeped through the lacings of his shirt. “Am I still under your protection?” she asked, nuzzling his hard muscles and tilting her face up to his neck. The crook of his shoulder formed a perfect nook for her mouth and chin.
    He shuddered when she scraped her teeth against his skin. “A bear protects his mate from others. The rogue knows you are mine.”
    Was she crazy for liking his words? “Are you my mate?”
    “I will be,” he growled and lifted her into his arms. She yelped and giggled breathlessly as he strode the short distance to their bedding.
    He settled her onto the furs, taking the hem of her dress and lifting it up over her head before she could offer any protest. She lay back, sensuously writhing on the bed ding to entice him to cover her with his body. He paused only long enough to rid himself of his clothing, and then knelt on the furs . His slow crawl toward her made delightful shivers creep down her flesh.
    “What changed your mind? ” she said on a gasp as he dipped his head and kissed her raised knee.
    He slid his hands up her thighs, parting them for his passage. “When I heard you scream my name, I knew it. Seeing that rogue threaten you—you were mine in that moment. I will never let anyone harm you as long as I live.”
    He nibbled a path along her inner thighs, hot and wet and burning her alive with need. He nuzzled her slit, licking her juices and teasing her clit until it swelled beneath the tip of his tongue. A moan escaped her, and she lifted her hips as he ravenously sucked her clit.
    Speaking was an effort. “But, we are not the same. I should have never begun this. It can’t be.”
    Braeden lifted his head, capturing her gaze. “It’s happened before. It’s happening now. You and I are both trapped in this. Do you really want to go back?”
    She shook her head, taking a shaky breath. “No. I don’t have the strength anymore even if I wanted to .”
    “I’ve enough strength for us both,” he growled and slid her backside up onto his waiting lap.
    Looking