Chapter 34
Anya
This man.
He seriously thinks I’m just going to climb out of this nice warm car into the bare nothing surrounding us.
I have no intention whatsoever of moving, but clearly, he has other plans and uses whatever mate mind control he has against me.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself about why it’s so easy for me to agree to his requests, even when they’re completely illogical.
He opens my door with a beaming smile on his face, just above that stupid chin dimple.
Don’t crack, Anya. You can do this. I coach myself with what little gusto I have left.
His smile changes to one of hope, love, and a little vulnerability I usually don’t see him wear. “Do you trust me?” he asks with a soul deep sincerity as he extends his hand in offering.
“Yes,” I answer with a cautious honesty as I slip my hand into his, knowing that I trust this man with everything I am.
He immediately pulls me from the warmth and into his arms before I have time to change my mind.
Following an extended embrace, he steps back with a wildly excited expression on his face. “Put this backpack on for me?”
I nod.
His eyes are bright and crinkled in the corner, his smile so big it looks like it would hurt. Completely undeterred, he begins removing his clothes in the middle of the Alaskan nowhere. It takes me longer than it should to realize he’s going to shift into his bear.
His excitement running through our bond must be reflected on my own face because I can’t help but smile as I take him in before me. It blows my mind that he can just stand in the middle of sub-zero weather, butt ass naked and not be cold.
I watch as he shifts into his massive bear form for the second time. Less shock and more awe this time. The sounds of his bones popping and changing. The sight of his stupid gorgeous face being replaced by that of an animal. His smooth skin overcome by a thick layer of coarse white fur.
Standing at his full height, he scratches his belly with one massive paw and waves with the other, the sight causing me to snicker.
His eyes light at the sound and he drops onto all four paws and ambles towards me. Instead of waiting for him this time, I bolt towards him, wrapping him in the best hug I can muster with him being this size.
He nuzzles into my neck, sniffing and grumbling about. He surprises me by licking my mate mark, sending a shiver of need through my body, making his bear groan. That sound should not be so attractive.
He shakes his head in a way that makes me think I’m not the only one affected before he lifts his snout and looks to the sky, snorting at whatever it is he sees.
When his gaze returns to mine, he lowers his body to the ground. Before I can ask what he’s doing he looks to me and asks again, this time through our bond, Do you trust me?
My brain can’t immediately comprehend what he’s asking me. His bear snorts and throws his head towards his back, and I realize he wants me to climb onto him.
Old Anya would have laughed right in his face . . . and I don’t even miss her a bit when I grab onto the ridge of his back and pull myself up to straddle him as he rises back to his feet.
His warmth radiates below me, heating me entirely. No wonder he’s never cold. Soaking in more of his warmth, I lay myself across the expanse of his back as he strolls into the dark Arctic night.