Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Chapter 6
Louisa
I take my first bite of the lasagna from Papa Bear’s and groan as the layers of cheesy goodness, meat, and sauce melt on my tongue. Gabe watches me as I devour it with a cocky grin plastered on his face.
“How is it?” he asks, reaching across the wood table to take my hand in his.
“Pretty good.” That’s a freaking understatement.
“From the sound of your groans, I’d say it’s a little better than pretty good.”
“Okay.” I take another bite and moan. “You caught me. It’s the best lasagna I’ve ever had.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
After we finish eating, I feel comfortably stuffed as Gabe leads me into the living room. He grabs a remote and turns on the large flat-screen TV hanging over the fireplace. “What movie do you want to watch, sweetheart?” He holds out the remote to me.
I take the remote and flip through the choices on the screen. When I come to a movie I’ve been wanting to watch, I turn to smile at him. “How about this one?”
“I’ve been dying to see this one.” He plops onto the couch, and I slide in next to him, feeling that delicious warmth radiating off his body. We settle in, knees brushing against each other, and a pulse of electricity shoots through me at the contact. It’s insane how one touch can light up my girly bits like a Fourth of July fireworks display.
As the movie begins, the opening scenes explode onto the screen with loud music, fast cuts, and heart-pounding chase sequences. Gabe seems to be getting into it, leaning forward like a kid at a carnival, but I notice his clenched fists and the vein pounding in his throat. I can’t help but steal glances at him, soaking in the sight of his broad shoulders shaking as he laughs at the movie.
The movie roars on, and as the explosions and fight scenes unfold, the tension shifts between us. I’m not really watching anymore; I’m hyper-aware of the space we share, the warmth radiating between us making it hard to focus on the plot. My heart races as I steal another glance at him, and before I can think it through, I lean in closer, drawn by the magnetic pull of attraction.
“Gabe?” I whisper, my breath hitching in anticipation. He turns to me, curiosity dancing in his gaze, and the enticing feel of spontaneity bubbles up inside me.
Without further thought, I press my lips against his, the kiss igniting something fierce inside me. It’s soft and electric, my heart pounding at the sudden rush of warmth flooding through my body. His lips respond instantly, melting into the kiss, and suddenly, the world outside fades away as I lose myself in him.
My mind spins as he wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss until I feel like I’m floating. He nibbles on my lips and then runs his tongue over the area. With my mushy mind, I barely register when he lays his forehead against mine and whispers, “Fuck. I want to make you mine.”
His words drag me from my ‘Gabe fog’. There are a few things we need to talk about before things go that far. “First,” I start, the words tumbling from my lips, “I need you to explain what’s happening between us.”
He pauses and the lightheartedness that’s usually painted on his face is suddenly replaced with a seriousness I didn’t expect. It’s like I’ve pulled back the curtain on something vulnerable, and I’m taken aback by the gravity of his hesitation.
“How much do you know about shifters?” he finally asks, scratching the back of his head as if he’s trying to find the right way to articulate what had been so effortless before.
“Some,” I reply, feeling heat flush through my cheeks. “I know you’re a polar bear, and there’s only one mate for each of you.” I pause, looking him square in the eyes, trying to project the force of confidence I don’t completely feel. “I know that a mate bond means everything to shifters. But I want you to explain it. I want to hear it from you.”
“Alright, so here’s the deal,” Gabe says, his expression going serious as he settles into the conversation. “All shifters have an inner animal that’s intertwined with their human souls. For me, that’s a polar bear. I’ve got all the characteristics of a wild polar bear but I have a human side, too.” He meets my gaze, that golden hazel glare holding a mix of ferocity and charm that makes my heart flutter. “When I’m human, I have complete control over both sides. But if something threatens me or my loved ones, my inner bear could take over without warning.”
His explanation makes the world around us fade into the background as I process the information. “So, it’s like you live with this dual personality? What happens if you’re pushed too far?” My curiosity piques, and I can’t help but think of all the wild possibilities that come with shifting.