Epilogue

“I can’t believe today is the day.” Tammy snuggled up to Dougray and kissed his broad back, inhaling his scent.

“Today is the day,” Dougray agreed as he sighed and took hold of her hand, bringing it to his lips. He kissed her palm, and she shivered, desire unfurling in her belly. “And I can think of no better way to start it than with you in my arms.” Dougray rolled over to face Tammy, his eyes drinking in her features.

“We should get up,” she murmured, though she made no effort to move. Her fingers traced lazy patterns across his chest, reveling in the solid feel of him beneath her touch.

“Mmm, eventually,” Dougray said, his deep voice vibrating through her. “But not just yet.”

“Eventually?” she asked. “Hmm. What shall we do to fill the time?”

“I suppose we could catch a couple more minutes of sleep,” Dougray suggested.

“If that’s what you want to do.” Tammy slid her hand down between their bodies and curled her fingers around his hardness.

“Well, I suppose I could read a book instead.” But then he bit down on her earlobe, teasingly, making her gasp. The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down her spine, and she melted further into him.

“I don’t think either of us would be able to focus on a book right now,” Tammy whispered, her voice filled with longing. She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck, placing soft kisses along his skin.

“You’re probably right,” Dougray said huskily. He moved swiftly, reversing their positions so that Tammy was beneath him. His eyes were intense, filled with such love it made her heart ache.

She’d never expected to feel like this about anyone.

Damn, she never knew it was possible to feel like this about anyone.

But she did. The love they shared was real. So very real.

“So what are we to do?” she murmured as he cupped her breast in his hand and rubbed his thumb over her nipple.

“I believe it’s your turn to make some suggestions.” He lowered his head and sucked her nipple into his mouth, eliciting a soft moan from her lips. Tammy arched into him, her body eagerly responding to his touch as heat pooled between her thighs.

“Oh, I think you have it all figured out.” Tammy gasped as he rolled his tongue along the taut bud.

He slipped his hand between her thighs and parted them gently. His fingers brushed against her mound, and Tammy let out a soft whimper, her hips instinctively lifting to meet his touch.

Oh, yeah, he definitely had it all figured out.

Dougray slipped a finger inside of her, then another, while his thumb moved in small circles over her sensitive flesh. Tammy’s breath hitched as Dougray’s fingers stroked her inner walls, while his mouth still worked its magic on her breasts.

He knew exactly how to touch her, where to caress, and how to build intense pressure in her body until she came. And right now she was so close to coming…

Tammy’s fingers tangled in Dougray’s hair as she surrendered to the sensations coursing through her body.

He lifted his head, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her shiver. Without a word, he shifted, positioning himself between her thighs. Tammy wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him closer.

As Dougray entered her, slowly and deliberately, Tammy gasped at the exquisite fullness. Her eyes fluttered closed as she savored the sensation of him filling her completely. Dougray stilled for a moment, his body tense as he fought for control.

Then he rocked his hips back and forth, small movements that sent waves of pleasure through Tammy’s body. She matched his rhythm, lifting her hips to meet each thrust. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, a dance they had practiced and refined over the past few weeks.

A dance she would love to practice every day for the rest of her life.

Tammy opened her eyes, meeting Dougray’s intense gaze. The love and desire she saw there made her heart swell. She cupped his face in her hands, drawing him down for a deep, passionate kiss. Their tongues entwined as their bodies continued to move, the tension building between them.

Dougray’s pace quickened, his thrusts becoming more urgent as Tammy’s body trembled beneath him. She was approaching the edge, waves of pleasure building with each movement.

All she wanted to do was throw herself into the abyss and take her mate with her.

Dougray’s breath came in ragged gasps against her neck, his muscles taut with exertion and restraint. Then he came, his seed spilling into her as he let out a deep, guttural groan.

The sensation pushed Tammy over the edge, and she cried out, her body shuddering as waves of ecstasy washed over her. Her inner walls clenched around him, and he slipped his hand beneath her, holding her close as he jerked into her.

When they were both fully sated, he rolled onto his side and drew her into his arms, as their breathing slowly returned to normal. Dougray pressed gentle kisses along Tammy’s collarbone and neck, and she ran her fingers through his hair, savoring the warmth of his body against hers.

“I love you,” Tammy whispered.

“I love you, too,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

“When my uncle asked me to come and stay for a while, I never expected this,” she told him, her eyes misted with tears as she recalled her emotional state when she’d first arrived. “I thought I’d lost everything. But I was wrong.”

He lifted his head and locked eyes with hers. “I’m glad fate had a plan for us.”

She smiled and blinked away her tears. “Whoever would believe that plan included a lion?”

He chuckled. “That was an unexpected twist. And today Finlay becomes our son. A part of the Thornberg family.”

Because today was the day they would officially adopt him. Not that Finlay had ever returned to his group foster home. No, things had moved fast once Peter’s video went viral online, and the lion sighting was revealed as a hoax.

Brad had contacted Fiona, who dealt with shifter children in need of foster homes. She’d quickly, but thoroughly, vetted Tammy and Dougray for fostering. When they passed, Finlay came to live with them at Uncle Gavin’s house.

And their lives together had begun.

Tammy held up her hand and stared at the diamond ring on her finger. It was a symbol of their love, their commitment, and their future together.

She smiled, remembering the night Dougray had proposed. It had been under a canopy of stars, on the crest of a ridge overlooking the Thornberg Ranch, while Cobra and Sunshine grazed nearby. Tammy could not wait to be his wife.

But she was already more than that. She was his mate. Their bond was unbreakable.

As was their commitment to giving Finlay the best life possible. One filled with love and security.

I hope you enjoyed meeting the Thornberg family. Klein’s story is next. If you join my author newsletter, I’ll let you know when it’s out!

Sign up to the

Harmony Raines Newsletter

And I’ll tell you about my new releases and special offers.

You’ll also receive a FREE EXCLUSIVE BOOK

The Bear’s Surprise Mate

A Second Chance at Bear Creek Lodge

***

If you love second chance shifter stories,

why not try -

Silverbacks and Second Chances

Cursed Bear

Twenty-five years ago, Cath’s husband walked out of her life, leaving her to raise two sons alone. She threw herself into raising her boys and showered them with love.

Her sense of betrayal ran deep. After all, Hector had told her they were true mates, fated to be together forever. Now, another man is telling her the same thing.

Can she believe in fate again? Can she risk opening her heart once more?

She’s here. Catherine. His Catherine, the woman who Julius recognized as his mate on the exact same day she married another man.

Lucky Bear

Ruth is new in town. After spending years raising her siblings, she is now fulfilling her own ambitions. Training to be a teacher was the best thing she ever did, right alongside moving to Bear Creek. Sure, she’d like a man to share her life with, but if that doesn’t pan out, she is content to be alone.

Michael lives a simple life. He might be a lottery winner, which earned him the name, lucky bear, but he knows money doesn’t buy you happiness. It does, however, buy you a large parcel of forest to call home.

If only he had a mate to share it with, he’d be the happiest bear alive.

Or cubs.

And two cubs just walked into his life. Fostered by his best friend, Dean, Jason and Jenny are in need of a permanent home. Could he take them in and give them the life, and love, they deserve?

Fated Bear

Frankie’s heart isn’t her own. Literally. So how is she supposed to know if the man she’s met is her fated mate, or that of her borrowed heart? Can she trust in fate?

Adam always though his fated true mate was dead. He’d built a life on the knowledge that he would be alone forever. Frankie turns all his plans upside down. Yet both of them have inner ghosts. Ghosts from the past that might destroy their future together.

Song Bear

Elise has known loss. Now she’s ready to love.

Moving to Bear Creek was a big decision for bear shifter, Elise. She left behind a life, a career, and a mountain of memories. However, the thought of watching Frankie’s children grow up, and the chance to open a new organ transplant coordination department at the hospital in Bear Bluff, persuaded Elise it was the right decision.

Then, on a morning run in the mountains, she hears a song. Not just any song. And not just any singer.

Elise lost her heart to Hank Rivera when she was fourteen. He was hers. And she was his. It didn’t matter that every other girl on the planet thought the exact same thing.

Then he disappeared. Until now.

Could it be that the Hank Rivera truly is hers?

Blind Date Bear

Tiana is resigned to her life as a single woman after her husband left her years ago. Who has time for a relationship when you have a child to raise and elderly parents to care for? Not to mention her ex-husband who lives in a trailer at the end of the garden.

Then she's set up on a blind date by her best friends and her world changes forever. Because her date is a bear shifter and she's his mate.

His mate for life and he doesn't intend to ever let her go.

When Mason agrees to go on a blind date, he never expects to meet his true mate. But here she is in front of him. Now all he has to do is convince Tiana she has room in her life, and her heart, for a bear shifter in love.

Builder Bear

After a disastrous first marriage to an abusive husband, Haley is just about getting by. She has built a new life for herself and her two wonderful daughters with the help of her amazingly supportive friends, Tiana and Sorcha.

Bear shifter, Buck, has worked construction his whole life. Building is what he does. And when he meets Haley and her daughters he wants to build a new life, and a new future, with them. If only Haley can let him in and see that he’s the one for her.