“Isn’t it?”
“No. Marrying you was. But I’ll admit, this feels pretty damn good.”
She chuckles, placing her hand on my chest and says low so that only I can hear. “I know something else that would feel good.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“You buried inside me. Or my mouth wrapped around your cock. Or—”
I groan. “You’re such a tease.”
“It’s not teasing if you do it.” She licks her lips. “And I plan on doing everything with you as soon as we’re alone. “
“I think I need to get you alone now—”
“Bennett,” a feminine voice says behind me.
Not wanting any other distractions, I stifle my frustration and force a smile on my face as I turn. But I’m not prepared for the woman standing there.
“Willow.” I pull my sister into a hug. “I didn’t know you were back.”
“I just got in...”
I’m not sure, but I think I hear a lie in her tone. But I ignore it, not wanting anything to wreck this day.
“Willow, this is my wife—”
“Piper,” Willow says, a real smile forming. “I’ve heard all about you. Seems like I missed a lot since I’ve been away.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “But I’m glad you’re back now. Have you seen the others?”
She winces. “No. Not yet. But I should go talk to Mom.”
I know that she left on not the best terms with our mother, but I still have no idea what the feud was about.
“It was nice meeting you,” Willow says to Piper before she walks away she congratulates me on becoming chief.
“She seems nice,” Piper says, leaning into me. Her arm brushes against me and it sends a wave of need through my body. I want my wife. Alone. Now.
“She’s trouble,” I mutter, knowing whatever reason my sister is back, turmoil is sure to follow. I lead Piper down the hall, to the place I’ve been intending on taking her for hours.
Bed.
“But you love her.” Piper grins up at me. “I saw the way your eyes lit up when you saw her. We should have her over for dinner when we get back. Speaking of which, I’m starving.”
“I know what I want to eat.”
Piper smacks my chest and laughs. “You are such an animal.”
“Damn straight.”
At the hotel room I pull my wife into the room, and even though the place is gorgeous, fancy drapes and a massive flower display, the only thing I want to look at is my wife’s bare body.
“I need you out of the dress, Piper Koleman.”
“Ohh, look who’s bossy now that they’ve become chief.”
“You know you like it when I take control.” I pull my wife to me, my fingers easing down the zipper on her black cocktail dress. She steps out of it and my eyes linger on her delicate curves and perfect shape.
“I do,” she moans as she reaches for my belt. I shrug off my suit, needing to be with my wife more than anything else right now. A weight of responsibility may be resting on my shoulders with my new title, but Piper will always be my number one priority.
I run my hands over her breasts, there are more full now with pregnancy, and she reaches for my hard length. A smile spreads across her lips. “Someone’s excited.”
I growl in my mate’s ear, pulling her to the bed. Needing her on her back, her pretty pussy spread for me, nice and wet. I lean over her, my cock so ready to take what is mine.
I want you so bad.
Her thoughts send a thrill through me. What the hell was I thinking, resisting the idea of a mate for so damn long? Having a partner in life, who is here for me through thick and thin is better than anything else in the world.
You have me, Piper. Now and forever.
Epilogue
Piper
One year later...
Bennett wraps an arm around my waist. We’re in the kitchen of his mother’s house, and no one else is here - they’re all outside. It’s a celebration of sorts, Bennett has just completed his first year as chief and the Kolemans are always looking for a chance to get together.
The family has grown so much since my girlfriends and I arrived in Bear Valley. I look out the kitchen window and see babies crawling all over the backyard. My little one is snuggled against his father’s chest though, being how Alder is only three months old.
I lean up, giving my mate a kiss, thinking there is nothing sexier on this planet than a bearded man holding his baby.
“You look so hot, Piper,” he says, kissing my neck, sending a surge of delight over me, even though it’s hard to believe his words.
“Oh yeah?” I smirk, knowing I have a good extra twenty pounds on my waistline, and with our recent news, they won’t be shed anytime soon.
“Yes, you do.”
“You just like how my breasts—”
He cuts me off, his mouth against mine and I forget my insecurities, because when Bennett kisses me, I see myself through his eyes. He makes me feel beautiful on even the hardest days.
With a three-month-old my life consists of diaper changes and pacifiers and yoga pants and messy buns - and yet somehow, I have never felt more loved, more cherished than I do now.
I thought what I wanted was independence - turns out what I was really craving was unconditional love.
And I found that with Bennett Koleman.
“As much as I’d love to keep kissing you,” I say, leading him toward the back door. “Everyone is waiting on you, Ben, ready to offer you a toast.”
Bennett groans. “You know I hate this attention.”
“You’ve become so humble since I met you,” I say laughing. “But in all seriousness, you’ve made peace between the Kodiak and Grizzly clans, Bennett. You deserve the recognition.”
‘What do you think they will say about our big announcement?” Bennett asks me.
“Which one?”
“It’s gonna be a lot for them to take in, but it’s already decided,” I say to my husband.
“No regrets?”
I think of my mother, how her words a year ago gave me the courage to accept the love Bennett offered. “No regrets.”
“Hey lovebirds,” Weston hollers. “Get over here. We poured you a whiskey.”
Bennett and I join the crowd, and Bennett raises his glass. “To the Kolemans, may we forever be so lucky to be surrounded by so much love.”
“Hear, hear!” Gunnar shouts.
Addie picks up their little boy, setting him on her hip. “Hear hear!” their son Mika says in a tiny voice.
Not to be outshone, Harley’s one-year-old daughter starts clapping her hands - and as if on cue, Kate’s five-month-old son starts wailing. Bennett instinctively leans down and kisses Alder’s head, urging him to stay quiet.
Bennett clears his throat. “Piper and I have two big announcements to make before everyone starts chowing down.”
I press my lips together. I know my friends will be surprised, but Bennett and I weighed the decision, long and hard. Bear Valley has finally made peace with the Grizzlies, but there are other territories in the world that need the guidance only Bennett can offer. Right now, my husband is needed elsewhere.
“Piper and I have decided to move to Maine, where two brown bear families are feuding. It won’t be permanent, but we may be there for a year or more.”
Our family registers the news, and opinions start flying. I squeeze Bennett’s hand. “We know it’s a big change, especially since our second announcement is that we’re pregnant. With twins!”
Harley, Addie, and Kate drop their jaws, and immediately surround me offering their congratulations.
“You’re having twins and leaving us!” Harley cries. “Piper!”
“I know, it’s not forever,” I say. “And you guys can come visit.” I know it will be an adjustment, but I’ve learned as the Chief's wife, that sacrifices are involved in his role.
And I couldn’t be more proud of my mate, the man he is and the leader he has become. I will
stand by his side wherever this life takes us, and Lord willing we will have lots of years to share, no matter what mountain we reside on.
Bennett reaches for my hand, and I lean up, kissing him, my heart brimming with love. Our son coos sweetly between us. Soon our family will be even bigger, and the adventure ahead of us is both exciting and nerve-wracking. But I believe what I told our friends and family, there are other bears who need my husband’s guidance.
My heart swells with the love that surrounds me, and while I hate to leave the valley, I know home is wherever Bennett is. Alaska, Maine, or wherever his job takes us.
“I’m going to miss you,” Harley says, placing an arm over my shoulder and squeezing.
Addie and Kate have tears in their eyes.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving us,” Addie says. “You better come back and visit. A lot.”
“You know we will.” I hug my friends again, then glance over to where Bennett is shushing Alder.
Blaine, Gunner, and Weston pick up their babies, their smiles big and goofy like they couldn’t be happier.
“I think we’ve tamed our mountain men,” Harley says, chuckling.
Addie snorts then winks, “Maybe in some ways, but Gunner is just as wild and feral as he was when I first met him in some ways.”
“Yeah,” Kate says, then adds uncharacteristically, “There are definitely benefits of being married to a bear.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
All four of us let out a collective sigh, which results in us breaking out into laughter.
“Are you talking about us again?” Bennett asks, smirking.
“We were just agreeing how lucky we all are.”
Bennett kisses me. It’s something he seems to never get enough of. And maybe it’s because I was his first.
No, sweetheart, he pushes into my head, reading my thoughts. It’s because I love you more than I ever thought possible.
I love you, too, I push back.
My friends and I came here to Bear Valley to find a safe haven, but what we found was so much better. We found our mates. The rugged men of Alaska who will stop at nothing to defend their families and their untamed love.
Chantel Seabrook
Amazon bestselling author Chantel Seabrook writes hot, steamy romances with possessive bad boys, and the passionate, fiery women who love them. Swoonworthy romances from the heart!
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Frankie Love
Frankie Love writes sexy stories about bad boys and mountain men. As a thirty-something mom who is ridiculously in love with her own bearded hottie, she believes in love-at-first-sight and happily-ever-afters. She also believes in the power of a quickie.
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