Chapter Sixteen – James
James wanted to pinch himself to make sure he was not dreaming, that his mate was really here, curled against his body.
James opened his eyes to the soft glow of morning light filtering through his bedroom window.
For a moment, he remained perfectly still, afraid that any movement might shatter what surely had to be a dream.
It’s not a dream, his bear said.
No, it was not a dream. Doreen was still there. Warm. Real. Her body tucked trustingly against his, the steady rise and fall of her breath syncing with his own. Her head rested on his chest, one arm draped across him, her fingers curled lightly as if she’d fallen asleep reaching for him.
His bear stirred within him, a deep rumble of satisfaction that vibrated through his bones. Right where she is supposed to be. The primal certainty of it nearly overwhelmed him.
James drew in a slow breath, taking in the scent of her while his fingers itched to stroke her hair, to trace the curve of her shoulder, but he resisted, not wanting to wake her.
Instead, he memorized everything…the rhythm of her breathing, the warmth of her skin against his, the way her dark lashes fanned against her cheeks.
Last night replayed in his mind…her acceptance of his true nature, her touch, her trust. After years of loneliness, of watching his friends find their mates while he remained alone, Doreen had walked into his life and changed everything.
She stirred against him, her breathing shifting, quickening. James held his breath as her eyes fluttered open and, for a startled heartbeat, she looked around, disoriented. Then she met his eyes, and a soft smile unfurled across her face…shy, beautiful, devastating.
“Morning,” she murmured, her voice husky with sleep.
“Morning,” he whispered back, though the word barely captured the swell of emotion rising inside him.
She didn’t pull away. Instead, she tilted her face up toward his, her expression soft and open in a way that knocked the air from his lungs. Without thinking, he leaned down, brushing his lips against hers…a question more than a demand.
Doreen answered by sliding her hand to his cheek, deepening the kiss with the kind of sleepy, unguarded affection that made his heart ache.
When they finally broke apart, he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “I wasn’t sure if you’d still be here,” he admitted quietly.
“Where else would I be?” she asked, her dimple appearing as she smiled.
His bear rumbled with approval. She chose to stay.
“I was worried you might have run off in the night…” he murmured.
“I’m not crazy,” she said. “I might not have had the benefit of your wilderness safety training yet, but even I know I would not last long if I decided to hike back to town in these freezing temperatures.”
He chuckled. “Of course, your car is back in town.”
“It is,” she said, stroking his chest. “You have me trapped here.”
They lingered under the covers, James forgetting what time even meant as they traded whispered secrets and slow, unhurried kisses.
His usual morning routine abandoned completely.
His bear was perfectly content just existing in her orbit.
The spell broke when his stomach let out a betraying roar that sounded almost as feral as his other half.
“Was that your bear or your belly?” she teased.
“That was all me,” James replied.
“I should feed you,” she said, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest.
“I’m the host,” he protested. “I should be the one offering breakfast.”
She sat up, the sheet falling to her waist. James swallowed hard at the sight of her, sleep-rumpled and beautiful in the morning light.
Doreen glanced around the room, clearly searching for her clothes from last night. Before she could slip away to retrieve them, James reached across to his dresser, pulling out a well-worn blue flannel.
“Here,” he said, offering it with a half-smile. “It’ll be huge on you, but...”
She took it with a grateful nod, their fingers brushing in the exchange.
The sight of her in his clothes hit him with unexpected force.
The shirt was too big, of course, hanging past her thighs, the sleeves rolled up several times.
But something primal and possessive flared inside him, seeing her wrapped in fabric that smelled like him, that marked her as his in some ancient, instinctual way.
His bear practically purred. She wears our scent.
Downstairs, they fell into an easy rhythm, navigating the kitchen like they’d choreographed it beforehand. James measured coffee grounds while Doreen rummaged through his cabinets for bread.
James reached around her to grab two mugs from the cabinet, his chest pressing against her back for a brief, delicious moment.
“Coffee’s almost ready,” he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
When Doreen bent to retrieve the butter from the refrigerator, he stepped behind her, hands settling on her hips. His lips found the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, and she shivered at the contact.
“Next time,” he whispered against her skin, “I’ll make you a proper breakfast. Eggs, bacon, the works.”
She straightened, leaning back against his solid warmth. “Next time?”
James chuckled, the sound vibrating through her. “Oh, there are going to be lots of other times. Many, many more mornings just like this one.”
Turning in his arms, Doreen raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you sure of yourself, Deputy Pike?”
His expression grew serious, eyes darkening as they held hers. “Yes,” he said simply, without hesitation.
“Toast is ready,” she said hoarsely.
“Do you take sugar?” he asked in a sultry tone.
“Just a little,” she purred.
He groaned. “You’re making it almost impossible to keep my hands off you.”
“Do you want to keep your hands off me?” she asked innocently.
“No,” he replied. Then his eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. “But you have to pick Jake up soon, and we have to drive to town for your car.”
“Oh, goodness.” She turned and looked at the clock. “Do we have time for coffee and toast?”
“We do.” He nodded. “Now, sit.”
They settled at his small kitchen table, sunlight spilling across the familiar, worn wood. James couldn’t stop watching her. The way she blew gently on her coffee before sipping it, the small sound of appreciation she made when she tasted it, the unconscious way she tucked her hair behind her ear.
This. This is the life we’ve been waiting for, his bear whispered.
Oh, yeah, James sighed happily.
“What?” she asked, catching him staring.
“Nothing.” He shook his head, unable to put into words the wonder he felt. How could he explain that watching her butter toast in his kitchen felt like witnessing a miracle?
But all too soon it was time to retrieve their clothes and get dressed. It took all his resolve not to make love to her again.
But he was strong. He didn’t want to be the one to blame for Doreen being late to collect Jake and Bash. He’d seen the way she’d hesitated at letting her nephew go.
She wants to protect him and keep him safe, just as we want to protect our mate and keep her safe, his bear said.
“There,” Doreen said as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. “Presentable again.”
“Shame,” he replied with a half-smile.
Doreen turned away, searching the nightstand. “Have you seen my…”
“Left earring? Here.” James spotted it by the lamp, but before handing it over, he gathered her hair in one hand, exposing the nape of her neck. He pressed his lips there briefly, feeling her shiver under his touch.
“That’s not helping us leave,” she said, though she made no move to pull away.
But time was not on their side, and they needed to leave.
This is the beginning, his bear assured him. There will be other mornings. Lots of other mornings.
And we will treasure each and every one of them, James replied.
The drive back through the forest was quiet and peaceful.
Snow lay pristine on either side of the road, untouched and glittering in the morning sun.
James drove one-handed, his other hand holding Doreen’s as if he never wanted to let go.
Every so often, he’d glance over, still disbelieving that she was really there, that last night had happened, that she knew his truth and hadn’t run.
When they reached her SUV, he pulled the truck to a stop, engine idling. Neither moved to get out.
“Thank you,” Doreen said. “For trusting me… with everything.”
James reached for her, cupping her face. “Thank you for staying.”
She melted into his touch before meeting him halfway.
This kiss held none of the drowsy tenderness from earlier—it was hungry, certain, a claiming.
James drew her closer, fingers threading through her hair at the nape of her neck, holding her steady as if afraid she might slip away.
He couldn’t believe this woman knew every part of him—even the wild, untamed parts—and still chose to stay.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing harder, Doreen’s eyes had darkened, her cheeks flushed. She smiled—that slow smile that made his heart stutter—and reluctantly reached for the door handle.
“I’ll see you soon?” she asked, and the hint of uncertainty in her voice made him want to pull her back into his arms.
“Count on it,” he promised.
She slipped from the truck, tugging at her coat when it got snagged between the seats. James watched as she walked to her car, his bear restless with the separation. He stayed until she got in, until she started the engine, until she drove away with one last smile in his direction.
Only then did he lean back against the seat, exhaling a long, stunned breath.
His bear huffed contentedly. We did well.
“Yeah,” he whispered to himself, a helpless grin spreading across his face. “We really did.”
Just then, the radio crackled.
“Pike, do you copy? Can you head over to Main Street? There’s been an accident. Nothing serious, but in these conditions...”
James straightened, muscle memory taking over. “Pike here. On my way.”
Duty called. As it always did.
But as he pulled away, James felt a tug stronger than duty—a deep, primal pull toward Doreen, as if fate itself were urging him to go to her.
This mate bond is going to take some getting used to.