Bearly Taken (Cub Lake Shifters #2)

Chapter 8

eight

WREN

Our routine didn’t change after that—not really.

But Reed moved his stuff into my room.

And after Parker went to bed, we showered together .

Which almost always led to having sex.

When we didn’t screw, he just held me in his arms. That made me feel so loved, it was almost overwhelming.

A few months went by before he caught my eye in the bookstore one afternoon during Parker’s nap. It was mostly empty, which was rare.

I frowned, not understanding what he was trying to tell me when he tilted his head.

He flashed me a wicked grin, then strode across the shop.

Toward the storage room.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I waited a minute, trying to be inconspicuous before I finally turned and followed him.

He closed the door quietly behind me, and my back hit the door a moment later, his hands on my hips. His lips landed on mine, and he kissed me, grabbing my ass with his free hand.

“Remember that fantasy of yours?” he asked.

“Of course.”

“I’m here to fulfill it,” he said, releasing my ass and taking a step back. “But first…” he reached into his pocket.

I thought he was going to pull out a condom, but instead, there was a box in his hand when he pulled it free.

A small, black box.

My eyes widened as he sank down to one knee and opened it, revealing a sparkling diamond ring.

“I love you so much it hurts, Beautiful. You’re already stuck with me for the rest of our lives, but will you marry me to make it official?”

“Of course,” I breathed.

He captured my hand, sliding the ring onto my finger.

I kneeled down with him, grabbing his shirt so I could kiss him hard. Emotions were stinging my eyes, but I didn’t care. Tears were a small price to pay for the happiness he’d brought me.

“I love you too,” I whispered against his lips.

“Thank fuck.”

Reed kissed me for a solid minute before he stood, lifting me with him. In one smooth motion, he turned me completely around. My palms met the small table in the room, and his chest rumbled in appreciation as he grabbed my ass with both hands.

“You ready, Beautiful?”

“Always.”

He peeled my pants down to my thighs, and I heard the crinkle of a condom.

I froze for a moment.

A realization—and a heavy hit of desire—swept over me.

I knew what I wanted.

And I wasn’t afraid anymore.

“Don’t put the condom on,” I said.

Reed’s hand squeezed my hip. “Are you sure?” His voice was low.

Hopeful.

Excited .

“I’m sure.”

His teeth grazed my shoulder, a reminder of the mark he’d left there, of the permanence of our connection.

There was no going back—but I didn’t want to go back.

Life with him was too beautiful to resist.