Page 24 of Bearly Breathing

CHAPTER 8

Shit. No lies or misunderstandings. A “vacation romance”. Good job, idiot!

Marcus tried to shut out all the nagging doubts in his head as he’d held Leya in the cool Atlantic waters. They’d frolicked and played for hours. Like cubs. He grinned thinking about the day they’d have their own.

Oh fuck, picturing his sweet mate swollen with his young was going to end with him having a raging hard-on in his swimsuit. Not a fucking option.

He’d been back to reciting multiplication tables when she pulled his head down to her lips and asked him to kiss her. Then he was lost.

He didn’t lie as a rule, but man, did he have a secret. A big one. About nine-foot-tall and eight hundred pounds give or take.

After he managed to get that conversation out of the way, how was he going to convince her that she was his fated mate? The one being in the universe made just for him and vice versa? That their little vacation romance was destined to last a hell of a lot longer? Like alifetime longer.

Marcus exhaled slowly as they walked out of the cabana hand in hand. She was so fucking perfect. The feel of her soft fingers interlaced with his was amazing, more than he’d ever dared hope for.

He gazed down at her bent head as they walked back to their rooms, her blonde waves blowing in the breeze, the scent of honey wafting into his nostrils. His mouth watered. She was so beautiful.

But that wasn’t why his blood thundered in his veins, not the whole reason anyway. Leya was smart and kind, funny and honest. The more they talked and spent time together, the more he wanted, no needed, to be around her. She was quickly becoming necessary to him.

Mine. Mate. Marcus would have argued with his Bear for acting like a Neanderthal, but the truth was, his human side couldn’t agree more. I have to tell her the truth about myself. And soon. His Bear growled in agreement, eager to meet his mate in the fur.

Marcus exhaled to quell the nerves in his stomach. Damn. I’m a Bear and yet I’m nervous as a mouse. He bit back a groan. The sun dipped lower in the beautiful skies, and he turned to her. An idea started taking shape in his mind.

“We still goin’ on that hike?” Leya smiled up at him as she donned her cover-up and slid her feet into her sandals. The lobby was air conditioned and would be cool after their time outdoors.

“Definitely, sweet,” he said.

His eyes were riveted to the side slits of her sheer dress. The garment flowed over her soft curves, almost hitting the floor. Those glimpses of her tanned legs were just enough to make a man wonder…and wonder.

Just how high did those legs of hers go? How would they feel wrapped around his waist? Would they squeeze him when he took her? Grrr. He had every intention of finding out.

“Alright, I’m in! So, what should I wear?”

“Um, shorts and sneakers should be fine. Bring a change of clothes too in case we decide to, uh, camp out. Would you be game?”

“Of course,” she smiled and agreed without hesitation. A fact that made his Bear chuff in happiness. She trusts us to keep her safe.

“Great! I’ll grab some food and supplies. Meet you at your room, okay?”

“Awesome, I’m starving,” she laughed.

“Me too.” But not for food. He pressed his lips to her palm and tasted her sweet skin as he handed her into the elevator.

“I’ll be by your room in about an hour, okay.”

“Okay,” she bit her lip. Marcus was unable to resist a light brushing of his mouth over hers before the doors closed. He smiled to himself as he set about getting ready for that night.

A little while later, they traipsed through a mini, tropical wilderness, miles away from the hotel. Marcus had explored the area on his last visit. As a Bear, he loved being out in the wild.

His natural curiosity had him trekking all over the island the first few times he proposed to open a shop at the exclusive resort. Moongate Island was gorgeous.

Lush and tropical, with one small local fishing village and the resort as the only inhabited areas. The rest of the grounds were as nature had intended. With a few changes left by the people who had explored over the centuries of course.

Marcus discovered the spot he wanted to share with Leya on one of those treks a few months ago. He couldn’t wait to experience it with her. It would be like seeing it for the first time again. The first of many shared experiences, he silently hoped.

The overhang was reached by a rocky path and overlooked the Atlantic Ocean. But it was a different side to the deep blue than they experienced at their hotel. Tall, rough waves pounded against the mountainous side of the island. The noise was loud and thrilling to hear. Like listening to thunder from the source.

Funny, how it reminded him of the sound of his own blood rushing in his ears whenever he stood close to her. He exhaled as he waited for Leya to tie her sneakers and join him.