Chapter Twelve: Martha

Chapter Twelve – Martha

Martha gazed out the window at the looming mountains as Clint drove along the winding roads back to the lodge.

They sat in comparable silence, each lost in their own thoughts with only the hum of the engine filling the cab. When they reached the lodge, Clint walked her to her cabin door and kissed her gently on the forehead.

“I’ll see you soon,” he said softly.

“I look forward to it,” Martha replied before slipping inside her cabin.

As soon as she closed the door, she leaned back against it and placed her fingers on her lips. The sensitive skin tingled from the heat of their kiss.

A kiss she had instigated.

And she didn’t regret it one bit.

Martha closed her eyes and relived the kiss. The way Clint’s lips had pressed against hers, gentle yet firm. His hands had cupped her face and his thumb had run over her skin in a slow, gentle caress.

With each passing second, the kiss had grown more passionate and Martha’s heart beat faster and faster as she felt Clint’s body press against hers.

The warmth of his breath had caressed her cheeks and when his lips had touched hers, it had been like a lightning bolt running through her entire body.

The moment seemed to last an eternity, yet it was over too soon. When Clint stepped back, she felt almost bereft without his presence.

Martha opened her eyes and stared at the empty cabin around her.

Yet the thought of Clint, of his lips, and his firm hands warming her skin lingered. A wave of heat spread across her cheeks, and her body ached for Clint. A feeling she’d not experienced with such intensity for years.

It was like a craving, a deep yearning, similar to those she’d experienced as a teenager when the first flush of young love had come as a surprise.

Back then, she had brushed away her first love in pursuit of her career. She had been so sure that she knew what was best for her future and that no one could deter her from the path she’d chosen.

But the years had passed and with them came a twinge of regret when Martha thought of Alan and the life they could have had together. She had seen him again a few years ago, with his wife and three perfect children.

He’d been content and happy, and Martha had felt a pang in her heart at the sight of what could have been. She wondered if Alan ever thought back to their time together and if he ever felt the same regret for what could have been. Why would he, when he was obviously happy with his wife and family? He probably never gave her a second thought.

Somehow, Martha had convinced herself that her career was all she needed and had plowed on with it, attaining new heights and working longer hours as if to prove she’d been right to ignore her motherly instincts.

However, despite her success and the feeling of accomplishment that came with it, Martha could not help but feel something was missing.

Gone were the days of her youth when she dreamed of having a family, of raising children and spending time with those she loved. She had pushed those thoughts away in pursuit of her career and had convinced herself that it was enough.

But as the years passed, her loneliness only grew stronger, and Martha wondered if she had made the right choice.

She had thought that her success would be enough to make her happy, but it was not. She realized that while her career gave her a sense of purpose and accomplishment, it was not enough to fill the void in her heart.

And now, it was like fate was giving her a second chance. Martha had Clint in her life and she was determined to make the most of it. She wouldn’t let anything stand in her way this time. She wanted to experience all that life had to offer, with Clint by her side.

A shifter. Clint was a shifter,she reminded herself.

What would her father say about that?

Martha sighed, not wanting to spoil her good mood by thinking about her relationship with her father.

But he sure would have an opinion on her choice of mate... She liked that word.

“Mate,” she said out loud to the empty room.

With a smile, she went to the kitchen and made a fresh pot of coffee before she realized she’d have to drive to town to buy some groceries. In all the excitement of her visit to the shack, she’d completely forgotten that her cupboards were bare.

But first she needed a cup of coffee and something to eat. She’d make do with a snack while she warmed the chill from her bones, then she would venture back out in the cold and head to town.

With a cup of coffee in one hand and a granola bar in the other, she headed to the living area to relight the fire, which had died down to all but a few embers glowing red in the fireplace. She grabbed a few pieces of wood from the neatly stacked pile nearby and arranged them in the fireplace. She then lit a few pieces of paper and used the flame to ignite the logs.

The wood crackled and popped as it caught fire, sending sparks up into the chimney. Martha watched with a sense of pride as the fire slowly grew bigger, chasing away the chill from the room. Soon enough, a warm glow filled the room, and Martha smiled in smug satisfaction.

She was getting the hang of life in the wild.

Martha grabbed a blanket from the sofa and sat down in front of the fireplace, wrapping herself up snugly as she watched the dancing flames. The warmth of the fire made her feel at peace and safe.

Martha sighed in contentment as the heat from the fire reminded her of Clint and brought back memories of his hands on hers, warming her skin. That feeling lingered in her mind, and she smiled at the thought as she closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the warmth of the fire.

As her eyes drifted shut, Martha was transported to a different world. She was in the middle of a lush forest, surrounded by towering trees and lush greenery. The sun shone down on her face, and she could feel the mist from the nearby waterfall on her skin.

But suddenly Martha heard a noise behind her, and she spun around to see what it was. To her horror, she saw a large brown bear running toward her at full speed! Fear surged through her veins as she ran for cover, but the bear was gaining ground quickly.

Martha’s heart raced as she desperately tried to outrun the animal, fear coursing through every inch of her body. She did not know if it was Clint or not, but either way she didn’t want him to hurt her or, worse yet, catch up with her!

She ran faster than she ever had before, pushing herself beyond her limits as adrenaline kicked in and propelled her forward.

With a gasp, Martha jerked her head up as the forest faded and she was once more back in the cabin.

She was safe. There was no bear here.

Martha tugged the blanket tightly around her shoulders. Why had she dreamed she was being chased by a bear, and why had she even entertained the idea it might be Clint? He would never hurt her.

She rubbed her hand across her tired eyes. It had been a long day, add to that the shock of learning that shifters were real, it was no wonder her imagination was running away with her.

With the cabin warm and cozy, Martha decided a hot bath was what she needed to finally chase the chill from her bones. A nice soak might also relieve the last of the tension that she’d carried in her shoulders and back for months.

After taking her coffee cup to the kitchen and setting it down on the drainer, Martha went to the bathroom and ran a hot bath, then added some essential oils. A mixture of lavender, sandalwood and bergamot to help her relax.

She was always amazed at how scents could affect her mood.

While the water filled the tub, she grabbed a clean pair of comfy sweats and a warm sweater. Then she checked that the cabin door was locked and quickly undressed.

Stepping into the steaming water was like heaven. As Martha sank down into the tub, she closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh of contentment. The warmth of the water eased away the tension in her body as it soothed her aches and pains. The calming scent of the oils wafted through the air while Martha lay there, allowing herself to be enveloped by blissful peace.

A peaceful reverie that lasted a half an hour, or less, when she was ripped back to reality from her daydream of another encounter with Clint, only this time it was much more pleasurable.

A knock sounded at the door and her eyes flew open, and her cheeks flushed pink. Had she summoned Clint here with just her thoughts?

Had he read her mind and come here to fulfill her wanton desires? A thrill of anticipation coursed through her veins as she grabbed a towel and dried herself off before throwing on her comfy clothes, wishing she’d picked out a more flattering outfit.

Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Martha opened the door and there he was... “Clint.”

“Were you expecting someone else?” Clint stood in front of her with an amused expression on his face.

Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and they both knew that no words were needed. With his gaze locked on hers, Clint stepped inside the cabin and closed the door behind him without breaking eye contact.

He held out his hand for hers, offering a silent invitation, which Martha instantly accepted. They moved closer together until their bodies were almost touching and Martha could feel the warmth radiating from him while his gaze caressed her body.

Why, oh, why, had she chosen to wear baggy sweatpants?

Not that Clint seemed to care as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned in close, whispering huskily into her ear, “I’ve been thinking about this moment since we first met.” His words sent shivers down Martha’s spine, confirming she hadn’t just imagined the whole thing. He had come here to fulfill her wanton desires.

Martha wrapped her arms around Clint, trembling with anticipation as he kissed her neck softly before slowly making his way up to capture her lips in a passionate kiss that left them both breathless. His hands moved slowly over Martha’s body, igniting sparks of pleasure as they explored her curves with an urgency that left them both hungry for more.

His hands moved slowly as he began to undress her, gently removing each item of clothing and letting them slip from her body until she stood there in just her lingerie. He kissed her neck and shoulders while his fingers expertly unclasped her bra before moving down to the small of her back, trailing his fingers across her skin as he hooked his fingers around the elastic of her panties and pushed them down over her thighs.

She stepped out of them and stood before him, unashamed of her curves.

Clint looked at Martha with an intensity that made her heart flutter, his gaze filled with love and desire. A warmth grew inside of her as he tugged his T-shirt over his head and cast it aside, revealing taut muscles rippling beneath sun-kissed skin and a light smattering of hair on his chest...

It was almost too much for Martha to take in.

She swallowed hard as he took off his worn work jeans and his boxers, leaving him standing there gloriously naked in front of Martha. She licked her lips and Clint smiled knowingly as he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his body against hers.

His hardness pressed against her and she was left in no doubt how much he wanted her. And how much she wanted him.

She’d never slept with a man on a first date, she’d been too risk averse. But this was different. They were mates. Fated mates. The idea that they were destined to be together was like an aphrodisiac.

In any other circumstances, she might have questioned it. A man might tell any number of stories to get a woman into his bed. Yet, she didn’t believe for one moment that Clint had spun her a story.

His words were real. His bear was real. What she felt for him was real.

A wave of pleasure washed over her as Clint’s hands moved over her body, electricity coursing through every fiber of her being. She wanted this moment to last forever, for the two of them to be locked in each other’s embrace until the end of time.

Clint pressed his lips to Martha’s, and she slipped her arms around his shoulders, deepening their kiss. When their kiss broke, he took her hand and pulled her gently to the bedroom. “I want to explore every inch of your body,” he said, squeezing her hand reassuringly as he led her to the bed, anticipation building between them as she lay down on the bed with Clint beside her.

Time seemed to stand still as they explored each other’s bodies with their hands, mouths, and tongues. Clint was gentle yet passionate as he trailed kisses over Martha’s skin, sending shivers of pleasure through her with every touch. His caresses were electrifying, and each moment seemed to last an eternity as they moved in perfect harmony together.

Martha felt herself slipping further and further away into the depths of desire as Clint’s hands moved over her body, teasing and tantalizing her with each stroke. His touch was so gentle and loving that she felt like she could melt in his arms. Her breath came in short gasps as Clint teased her nipples with his tongue, sending sensations of pleasure coursing through every inch of her body.

She shivered in delight as he ran his fingertips lightly over her sensitive areas, exploring every curve of her body with a reverence that left Martha feeling completely alive. With each passing moment their passion for each other seemed to grow and intensify.

Finally, Clint slowly entered her, and the sensation of being filled completely by him sent waves of pleasure rippling through her body. With every thrust, Martha felt more alive than ever before and knew that this was the kind of love she had been searching for all along.

A wave of sadness hit her suddenly and unexpectedly. If only fate had brought them together sooner. If only she had come to Bear Creek on a vacation. They could have raised a family here under the watchful gaze of the mountain.

But life was filled with if onlys. There was no point dwelling on them since it was impossible to change the past, even though many of her clients would have paid any price to do.

Martha let go of her sadness and lost herself in the moment.

Clint cupped her breast in his hand and rolled his tongue around her nipple, sending shockwaves through her body. She arched her back, offering herself to him, and he took her. Mind, body and soul.

The intensity between them grew until finally their passion reached its peak and they both shuddered in ecstasy, clinging to each other tightly until their breathing returned to normal and their bodies were enveloped by a blissful peace.

“I think you forgot to tell me one more of your shifter senses,” Martha whispered into his ear as she trailed her fingers over his chest.

“Oh?” He curled his hand around hers and brought her hand to his lips. “What sense is that?”

Martha shuddered as he pressed his lips against her skin and her arousal built once more. She wouldn’t be surprised if he knew exactly what her body craved without even having to ask.

“When I was soaking in the bath, I was dreaming of a moment just like this.” She didn’t feel bashful revealing this intimate secret to Clint. Not like she would with anyone else.

“I am willing to dedicate my life to pleasuring you, Martha.” He slid his hand between their bodies and slid two fingers inside her.

“Hot damn, Clint,” she gasped as his thumb rubbed against the most sensitive flesh between her thighs. “Every woman needs a shifter in their life.”

“I’m all yours.” He captured her lips with his and she felt giddy with pleasure, knowing that she’d gotten her wish after all, and guiltily thanked her lucky stars for bringing Clint into her life when she needed it most.