Chapter Fifteen: Rosie

Magical! There was no other way to describe it. How else could a man turn into a bear?

And she was certain that was what had happened because when she looked into the bear’s eyes, it was as if Levi, or at least a part of Levi, was looking back at her.

“You are incredible.” She ran her hands through the bear’s fur and buried her face in its softness. “It’s a good thing Elliott can’t see me right now. I warned him that bears were dangerous.”

And most bears were. But not Levi. This transformation had proved to her what she felt was real, that they had a connection. Why else would he share this hidden part of himself with her?

The bear rubbed his massive head against her upper arm and then he stepped back. He was leaving.

“I hope to see you again soon,” she told him. “And I hope one day you can share this part of yourself with Elliott. He’d be so happy.”

She smiled sadly, not wanting the bear to go. Because when he swapped places with Levi, they would need to talk, and she was not sure what she was going to say.

The hairs on the back of her hands stood on end as the air crackled and popped, filled with magical electricity. Then the bear shimmered and faded away. But only for a split second because then the outline of a man appeared, its features slowly filling in until there stood Levi.

“Levi,” she whispered, her voice catching on the emotion that threatened to spill over.

He stepped toward her, his gaze steady and unblinking. “I wasn’t sure how you’d take it,” he said, a mix of vulnerability and hope flickering in his eyes.

“Well, it’s not something you see every day.” Boy, was that an understatement!

Levi’s lips quirked up in a wry smile. “I guess not.” He let out a small laugh, the kind that spoke of relief mingled with unspoken fears.

She reached out, her fingers brushing the side of his face, and felt the warmth of his skin, a stark contrast to the cool night air that had settled around them. His eyes closed momentarily at her touch, as if savoring the simple connection.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Levi took a deep breath, his broad shoulders rising and falling. “I wanted to,” he said softly, his voice filled with an honesty that made her heart ache. “But it’s not something easy to share. I was afraid I might scare you away.”

She nodded, understanding flickering in her eyes. “I can see that. But, Levi, you don’t have to hide from me. I want to know all of you, every part.” Her words hung in the air, sincere and unwavering.

Levi took another step closer, the distance between them shrinking until they were a mere breath apart. The cool breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient oak tree nearby, a gentle whisper as the world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for whatever came next.

“Every part?” Levi echoed softly, his eyes searching hers for any hint of doubt. He reached out and took her hand in his, their fingers interlocking naturally like pieces of a puzzle finally finding their place. Warmth flooded her veins, and she leaned closer to him, the heat of his body seeping through her clothes. “There’s so much I want to share with you.”

“Then share.” She raised an eyebrow at him, challenging him to open himself to her. If he could do that, if he could be honest with her, be vulnerable, then she would give him her heart forever.

“I’m a shifter,” he began.

“A shifter.” Her brows tugged together. “Not a werewolf? I mean a werebear.”

“No, I can shift when I want. I’m not controlled by the phases of the moon.”

“Right. A shifter. And you shift into a bear at will.” She cracked a smile as she remembered the feel of the bear beneath her fingers. “He’s incredible, by the way.”

“He thinks you are incredible, too,” Levi said with a soft chuckle.

“So, what is this connection we share?” She raised her hand that was holding his. “Because it’s like nothing I have ever seen…” Her voice trailed off.

“Rosie?” he asked warily.

“Camille and Ezra.” Her eyes widened. “Of course, that explains the whirlwind romance. The way they look at each other.” Her brows tugged together. “And your mom and dad.”

“They are fated mates. They share a bond, an unbreakable bond,” Levi explained. “And we share that same bond.”

“Fated mates,” she whispered. As she mulled this over, she realized in some way, in a deep part of her soul, she had known from the moment she saw him. “Like love at first sight.”

“Only so much more,” he murmured, his eyes fixed on her lips.

And damn, did she want him to kiss her.

“Elliott.” She glanced toward the cabins.

“He’s fine, sleeping, and there is no one else around. He’s safe,” Levi assured her.

“You’re sure?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” Levi said. “He is part of you, so he is part of us, part of our family. I will treat him as if he is mine, Rosie. Love him, protect him, help provide for him.”

Tears pricked her eyes. Because she believed him completely.

“Levi…” She slipped her hands around his shoulders and pressed her body close to his.

“Rosie.” His lips were inches from hers, seeking, questioning, and then they were tasting. Kissing her with a tenderness that made her heart ache with longing. A warmth spread through her chest, melting away any lingering doubts. His scent—fresh pine and earthy musk—enveloped her, grounding her in the moment.

When they finally parted, Rosie’s cheeks were flushed, and Levi’s eyes were filled with an intensity that took her breath away. He brushed his fingers across her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this,” he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

“I think I do,” she whispered back, her voice barely more than a breath. Rosie looked up into Levi’s eyes, seeing the depth of his sincerity reflected back at her. A sense of coming home to a place she’d never been but always belonged. To this man. To Bear Creek.

Levi’s revelation had thrown her plans into disarray. And she didn’t care. He offered her everything she wanted, everything she needed, and so much more.

She could start over here with this man. Forge a new career, build a life for her and Elliott, and give him the brothers and sisters he craved.

He groaned and lowered his head, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. She clung to him, her fingers stroking the nape of his neck as their kiss deepened. His tongue traced the curve of her lips before exploring further, probing her intimately. Her nipples hardened, pressing into his hard chest. She wanted, needed, him to touch her, to tease her, to make her cry out in ecstasy.

It was as if the whole time she had been in town they had been dancing around each other, but now that she knew the truth she did not want to dance. She wanted to make love here in the forest.

Sliding her hands down his chest, she tugged at the buttons of his shirt, her fingers stroking the exposed flesh as she undid them one by one. But then his hand closed over hers and he locked eyes with her.

The question was there in his eyes. And she answered it with a kiss, while she finished unbuttoning his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders.

Rosie explored the broad expanse of Levi’s chest, her fingertips tracing the lines of his muscles, mapping the terrain of this man who was quickly becoming her everything. His skin was warm under her touch, his breath hitching as she went lower, and her pulse quickened in response.

Levi’s hands were not idle either. They moved to her waist, sliding under the hem of her blouse, his touch leaving trails of fire in its wake. He pulled her closer, their bodies pressing together with an urgency that spoke of longing and unspoken promises. Rosie moaned softly against his lips. She’d never wanted anyone like this before.

As his hand slid higher and cupped her breast, Rosie arched into his touch, the sensation sending waves of pleasure cascading through her. Levi’s thumb grazed her sensitive peak and she gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders. She could feel the intensity of his need as he pressed against her.

Slipping her hand down between their bodies, Rosie found the buckle of Levi’s belt and deftly worked to free him from its constraint. The metallic clink echoed softly through the forest, mingling with the rustling leaves and the distant call of a night owl. She pushed aside thoughts of anything outside this moment—no past, no future, just the present and the intoxicating connection between them.

Levi’s breath was ragged now, fueled by the primal pull of their shared desire. He helped her with the buckle, his fingers brushing against hers, every touch electric. His jeans slid down his muscular thighs, and Rosie could feel the heat radiating from his body that matched the fire burning within her.

She closed her hand around his hard length, and he gasped and bit down on his lower lip, the sound reverberating through the quiet woods like a low, guttural growl. He pulled her closer, his lips finding the pulse point on her neck, kissing and nipping softly, sending shivers down her spine.

Rosie tilted her head back, her fingers working deftly to stroke him in a rhythm that matched the wild beat of her heart.

After a moment of stillness, where Levi seemed to be lost to her touch, he tugged at her blouse, unbuttoning it before lowering his head and kissing the swell of her breast. As she moved her hand up and down, he pushed her bra down and sucked her nipple into his mouth.

Oh! The electrifying sensation coursed through her, intensifying with every flick of his tongue.

Rosie lost herself in the moment, every nerve ending on high alert. The sensations were almost overwhelming, and she ached to have Levi inside her, filling her, making her his in a way that no other man had. Or ever could.

As if reading her mind, Levi unbuttoned her jeans and pushed them down over her curvy thighs. She stepped out of them and kicked them to the side. Her gaze locked with his as she hooked her thumbs in her panties and slid them off as well. Her bra followed and she stood before him, naked and unashamed, her body quivering with anticipation. Gently he guided her backward, one step, then two, until her back grazed the ancient oak.

Then he dropped to his knees in front of her, his breath warm on her thigh as he pressed his lips to the soft skin there. He looked up at her, his eyes dark with desire, and she bit back a moan at the sight of this beautiful man worshiping her body.

His hands stroked her legs, his touch teasing and tantalizing, and she dug her nails into the rough bark of the tree, needing something to anchor her as he explored her most intimate places.

His fingers gently parted her folds, and he leaned forward, his tongue flicking out to taste her. Rosie shuddered, the feeling of Levi’s mouth on her sending sparks of electricity through her veins. He slowly circled her nub, his fingers probing her, finding the sweet spot that made her whimper and squirm with pleasure.

She gripped the back of his head, her fingers tangling in his hair, as she pulled him closer, urging him to continue his delicious torture.

Levi was merciless, his tongue and fingers working her in tandem, the sensations building until her legs trembled, the muscles straining as she teetered on the edge of release.

One last flick of Levi’s tongue, and she was lost, her body shuddering and convulsing as she cried out his name into the silent forest. The stars above her twinkled in the velvet darkness as if the world itself had conspired to bring them together.

And from what Levi had said, it had. Or at least fate had.

Levi rose to his feet, his arousal obvious. He pulled her close, his lips finding hers in a fierce and hungry kiss. She tasted her essence on his tongue, and it ignited something primal deep inside her, something that would not be satisfied by mere kisses and touches. She needed him, needed him to fill her, to complete her.

He lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist, her inner thighs resting against his hips. His tip nudged at her entrance, and she moved, positioning herself so that he was poised to enter her.

Their eyes locked, and he plunged into her, the exquisite sensation of him filling her up making her gasp with delight. He held her firmly, his grip on her bottom steadying her as he thrust into her, each movement sending ripples of pleasure through her core.

Levi’s lips captured her, his tongue delving into her mouth, and she responded in kind, the emotions within her building to a fever pitch. Then he broke their kiss and lowered his head, his teeth grazing her shoulder, the slight bite of pain mixing with the intense pleasure of his hardness filling her over and over.

Rosie was lost, her entire world narrowed to the sounds and scents and feelings that surrounded her. She felt Levi’s breath on her neck, heard the rustle of the leaves as they swayed in the breeze, saw the stars shimmering above them. There was something so primal in this act. Two fated mates making love under the stars.

But then his mouth closed over her nipple, and all coherent thought left her as he lapped at it with his tongue, his teeth nipping playfully. Her senses were overwhelmed, and she clung to him, the feeling of him moving inside her enough to drive her to the brink of madness.

Levi’s pace quickened, and Rosie matched it, her hips rolling, her muscles flexing as she ground herself against him. The pressure was building, and she felt him stiffen, his thrusts becoming more urgent, more demanding.

“Levi,” she whimpered, her nails digging into his shoulders, her eyes locking with his as she felt her release rising within her. His gaze was filled with a mix of hunger and tenderness, and it was more than she could take. The tension inside her broke, and she came with a cry, her body clenching and pulsing around him as he thrust into her once, twice more.

She felt the heat of his seed spill inside her, and she knew she had been claimed by her mate, bound to him for eternity.