Epilogue
I t’s been a month since I brought my angel back to Cypress Valley with me. I can’t remember my life before her anymore. The guilt and fear that had blackened my heart for almost a decade are gone. Sydney has replaced them with joy and sunshine and happiness. She’s the color that has been missing for so long.
To show my appreciation for my mate, I’ve been working on a surprise and it’s finally ready.
“Can I take this off yet?” she whines, pulling at the necktie I used as a makeshift blindfold. One of the few ties left from my days at TekNet. “This isn’t some kind of kinky sex thing, is it?”
I chuckle at the excitement in her voice. Sydney is insatiable, and I’m more than happy to explore any and every kink with her. “No, Angel. Maybe later, if you’re a good girl,” I say, adding extra grit to my voice, knowing the effect it has on my little mate. She shivers at the implication, clearly thinking about all the fun we can have with a blindfold. “I thought we had dinner with the pack later? ”
Leaning in close, I nip at her ear. “I’m sure we can squeeze something in.” Her responding whimper sends blood rushing south, distracting me from my surprise.
“Almost there,” I say, leading her into what was once the guest room—her room. She hasn’t slept in here since coming back, not that I would let her. She’s spent every night with me wrapped around her like a giant koala. I never knew I was a cuddler until Sydney came into my life. But apparently, I am for her; I’d be anything for her.
I wasn’t living before she barrelled her way into my life; I was merely surviving.
Sending a silent prayer to fate for her intervention, I breathe in my mate’s familiar gardenia scent. The rich, earthy notes settle in my chest, warming me from the inside out.
Leading Sydney to the nook by the fireplace, I untie the blindfold and let it flutter to the ground. A surprised squeak greets my ears before she squeals in delight. Rushing to the easel, she runs her hands over it. A table sits to the side, filled with all kinds of art supplies I thought she’d like: paints, pencils, brushes, canvases. You name it and it’s probably there. I love spoiling my mate.
“This is all for me?” She turns to face me, tears welling in her vibrant blue eyes.
“Yeah, Angel. It’s for you. For your art.” Stepping up to her, I wrap her in my arms and place a kiss on her lips. “So you can keep adding color to the world. It’s what you were born to do.”
She squeezes me tight, delicate arms not quite reaching all the way around my broad back. “Thank you, Reese. I love it. I love you. ” Bouncing onto her toes, her lips land on mine .
Needing a hit of her sunshine, I deepen the kiss until we’re both desperate for air. “I love you, Angel,” I pant when our lips finally separate.
Turning back to her new art supplies, she picks up a brush and twirls it in her fingers. “This is perfect, Reese. I can get a bunch of paintings ready to go and start selling them online. Oh! You could make some rustic wood frames to go with each painting. Maybe carve some details that match. What do you think?” Excitement ripples off her small body until she’s literally vibrating. I love seeing her so devoted and enthralled by something that makes her happy.
“Angel, I’ll do anything to help. We can hire someone to make a website for you or an agent to get you into galleries. Anything you want. This is yours and you deserve to succeed.” Plucking the paintbrush from her fingers, I place it back with the others and reel her into my arms—where she belongs. “What do you want to do today?”
She beams at me and I know whatever she wants, I’ll say yes.
Blue eyes sparkle with mischief. “Do you want to go for a swim?”
I growl. Usually our trips to the lake end with mind-blowing sex, so I’d be an idiot to say no. Since she’s been back, Sydney has spent a lot of time at the lake. She says it’s where her muse comes out to play.
By muse, she means my grizzly. She loves to sketch and paint me in my beast form, and I’ll gladly pose like a French girl for her any day of the week.
“Alright, firecracker,” I say, swatting her ass playfully. “Grab some of your new supplies and we can head to the lake. ”
Sydney picks up a blank sketchpad and tin of pencils, wicked eyes landing on me. “Can I ride you?”
Fuuuuck . My thoughts instantly turn dirty, with images of her supple body writhing on my lap. “Your bear, Reese,” she clarifies with a giggle. “Mind out of the gutter, big boy.” Her small hand pats my chest as she walks past me and throws a filthy wink over her shoulder.
Oh, she’s gonna regret teasing me. I chuckle as I follow her out the door.
M y hands run through the silky brown fur as I slide from Reese’s back. This lake has become my favorite place in Cypress Valley. The scenery is serene, and it seems to be the one place Reese can truly let down all of his walls.
Speaking of, my eyes trace from his broad back, down to his narrow waist and toned ass as he walks by. He shifts so fast, sometimes I blink and miss the transformation.
“Last one in’s a rotten egg!” he calls over his shoulder, a playful, boyish smile stretching across his gorgeous face. I still can’t believe this is the same angry man I met at the beginning of the summer. My heart bursts with joy knowing Reese has finally forgiven himself and can find the small moments in life that make him so happy.
Big feet smack against the wood of the dock. I can’t help but giggle at this childish side of my mate.
Reese catapults himself off the end of the dock. His huge body sails through the air as his booming voice echoes off the water’s surface.
“Cannonball!”
Curling into a tight ball, his body explodes into the water. A few seconds later, a wet black snout breaks through the water. Standing on hind legs, the bear shakes his coat, spraying water droplets everywhere.
Taking a seat on the end of the dock, uncontrollable giggles burst from my mouth as I watch him. Over the last month, Reese has shed his armor and become a giant teddy bear. My giant teddy bear. Seeing this uninhibited side of him warms my heart.
Sharp claws curl around my ankles and tug. Cool water soaks through the fabric of my bikini as I’m dragged under. Rising to the surface, I splutter, gasping for air as I push a sheet of wet blonde hair out of my eyes.
“You asshole!” I shriek, splashing water at the big grizzly in front of me. He lets out a rumble, diving back under the surface.
Reese emerges in human form a few seconds later. “C’mere, Angel,” he beckons, dark eyes blazing with lust.
“Come and get me,” I snark, kicking water in his face as I swim away.
Before I can get too far, strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me against a firm chest .
Warm air puffs against my ear. “Naughty, Angel.” The gravel in his voice sets my clit pulsing between my thighs as I squeeze them together.
“How ever will you punish me?” I feign shock as Reese’s growl ripples through my body. I’ve found that one of my favorite types of foreplay is being a brat. He really lets loose, giving in to his animal side when I sass him. And I fucking love it.
Reese plops me on the end of the dock. Using his shifter strength, he blasts out of the water and crawls over my soaking-wet body. His dark irises are nearly blacked out by his pupils, so I know I’m in for it. He tears my bikini off, those black eyes eating up every inch of my naked flesh.
My tongue trails along my bottom lip as my own eyes skim over my mate. He’s still naked from shifting, so every dip and valley of muscle is exposed to my greedy stare. From the massive pecs, covered in a layer of dark hair that I love running my fingers through. To the V-cuts at his hips that lead to heaven on Earth; the huge appendage between his tree trunk thighs stands at attention, a line of precome dripping from the tip.
“What am I going to do with you, naughty Angel?” My nipples pucker at the promise of pleasure in his voice.
“Fuck me,” I helpfully suggest.
Abruptly, I’m flipped to my stomach, rough hands on my hips pulling my ass into the air. A crack fills the air before it registers that he spanked me, pain zipping through my abused flesh. “Such a brat,” he says, massaging my sore ass cheek. “Maybe I should occupy your mouth.”
I moan and press back against him. “Yes, Daddy. ”
Pain explodes in the nerve endings of my other ass cheek as Reese’s hand connects with the soft flesh. He hates when I jokingly call him Daddy, especially during sex. But it usually leads to some amazing, rough sex.
Without warning, thick fingers shove inside my already dripping pussy. I rock my hips back, chasing his brutal touch.
“Please, mate. I’ll be a good girl. I promise.” I peek over my shoulder and bat my eyelashes.
“I’ll believe it when I see it, Angel.” Removing his fingers, Reese uses my arousal to lube his already hard cock. I’m mesmerized by the sight of his big fist stroking up and down the hard shaft, circling his knot every so often.
Once it’s glistening with my juices, he slams inside me with one brutal snap of his hips. Bracing my hands on the old wooden dock, I match him thrust for thrust. The pleasure building in my body is amplified by the arousal and need coursing through our mating bond. Experiencing my mate’s emotions never gets old, especially when we fuck like animals.
“Come on, Angel. Need your sweet pussy to milk my cock.” To drive his point home, Reese lands a round of slaps on my ass cheeks. My pussy rippling and clenching with each successive strike.
“Yes!” I scream into the warm summer air. The hard wood of the dock digs into my knees with each thrust. “Give me your knot, mate!”
Like a good boy, Reese shoves the thick donut of flesh into my leaking pussy. The extra stretch is no longer painful. In fact, euphoria floods my system. “I’m gonna come,” I warn.
“I’m right there with you, mate. ”
With a final thrust, Reese lodges deep inside of me, hitting that perfect spot. My arms collapse under the immense sensation of pleasure filling my body. Luckily, Reese wraps an arm around my chest, supporting my weight as the orgasm overtakes me. He curls over my back, bracing on his free hand as he roars his own release.
Our chests heave in unison. Hearts beating in tandem. Limitless love and affection pour through our mating bond, filling my body to the brim. I smile softly, knowing this bear is mine to keep .
“I love you, Angel,” he whispers against the back of my neck after gently laying us on our sides, his knot still inflated inside me. My head is pillowed on his big bicep, his declaration washing over me like warm water. Calming and soothing.
“I love you, Reese.” Tears prick my eyes as I say the words. My favorite words. “Thank you for letting me keep you,” I whisper, his arm pulling me tight to him, a quiet purr erupting from his chest.
This is paradise.
The summer sun and the steady beat of Reese’s heart reassure me that this is where I’m meant to be for the rest of my life.