“So it’s a good thing we’re back!” Sapphi stood in the doorway, with Alex behind her.

  “How did you do that?” Fiona asked. “No one can sneak up on me.”

  “While we were away, Alex taught me some sneaky tactics.” Sapphi looked different, older somehow, despite only being gone for a short time. She also wore a ring on her finger.

  “You two got engaged!” Kim exclaimed, and hugged Sapphi and then Alex. “Congratulations, both of you.”

  “Thank you,” Sapphi replied, hugging Kim back. When she drew away, she asked, “Any news?”

  They all exchanged glances, before Kim replied, “Yes. Jay is upstairs asleep.”

  “He’s here? How?” Sapphi asked, taking hold of Kim’s hand and leading her to the kitchen table. “Sit down, you look pale. Is he okay?”

  “He’s got a wounded shoulder, but aside from that, he seems unhurt. We haven’t had time to talk, he’s exhausted. Wyatt found him in the mountains.”

  “And why don’t we know any of this?” Sapphi asked accusingly.

  “Because you don’t check your messages,” Ruby said frankly.

  “We only found him a couple of hours ago,” Kim added. “I expect you were flying.”

  Sapphi pulled her phone out of her pocket. “You’re right.” She scrolled through her phone before putting it away. “So, details.”

  “Coffee?” Harlan asked. “Then you can tell us all about your trip.”

  “I want to know about Jay,” Sapphi insisted.

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Kim said apologetically.

  “We’ve just grilled Kim, and she knows nothing,” Ruby said, hugging her sister and then Alex. “The ring looks good on you.”

  Sapphi looked at her left hand, admiring her engagement ring. “It does.” Ruby took hold of Sapphi’s hand. “Thank you.”

  “I figured it was only right, since you found your mate. And I might never find mine. I’d hate for the ring to sit in a box for centuries.”

  “It’s my mother’s ring,” Sapphi said by way of explanation.

  “Ahh. It’s beautiful.” Kim took hold of Sapphi’s hand to take a closer look. “Flawless.”

  “Dragons know their gems,” Alex said. He reached out for Kim’s hand. “Hey, I’m pleased Jay’s back.”

  “Me, too.” Kim nodded. “In fact, he asked me to marry him. Although I don’t have a ring yet.”

  “You are welcome to any from my hoard,” Alex told her.

  “No, you’ve done enough for us,” Kim insisted. Or was she afraid the offer would spark Jay’s jealousy?

  “I insist.” Alex looked genuinely happy for her.

  “I need to talk it over with Jay.” Kim sighed. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but he may have something else in mind.”

  “Of course,” Alex replied. “Either way is okay with me. Oh, coffee.” He took a cup from Harlan. “If I have to drink another cup of my mom’s special green tea, I think I’ll turn green myself.”

  “You are green,” Sapphi reminded him, causing a ripple of laughter around the kitchen.

  As Kim sat and listened to the tale of two dragons, she couldn’t help wishing that her relationship was carefree and happy. But her relationship with Jay had a long way to go. As much as she hated to admit it, he had changed. And so had she.

  “I’m going to check on the boys and then check in on Jay,” Kim said as Sapphi and Alex finished talking.

  “Thanks, Kim,” Fiona said, watching her leave the room.

  Kim was sure there would be some discussion about her and Jay while she was out of the room, but she couldn’t blame them. Alex’s arrival in Bear Creek with Archie had set in motion a chain of events that had affected them all.

  “Hi there, boys.” Archie gave her his best cheesy grin and a squeal of delight. Harlan Jr., who was older and steady on his feet, with a handful of words in his vocabulary, was the ringleader in any escapades the two boys took part in. “Are you behaving?”

  “Yesh,” Harlan Jr. replied. He held up a building block and placed it on the high tower he was building. As soon as it was secure, Archie passed him another one. They made a great team.

  “Bear and dragon working together.”

  One day they would no doubt terrorize the mountain together. Brothers in all but name. As Kim left them to play, she imagined them causing havoc on the mountain, playing as friends, living life to the fullest. Safe because Archie’s dad had sacrificed a year of his life to take down bad men.

  Kim left them playing happily and went to the bedroom. With her hand resting on the doorknob, she turned it slowly, and pushed the door open carefully. Jay lay asleep in bed, his breathing heavy, but even. Unable to resist, she walked over to the bed and stared down at him. In his sleep, Jay whispered her name. Did he know she was here? Did some sixth shifter sense tell him his mate was close?

  Kim crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall, just watching him, in the same way she’d stood and watched Archie sleep a hundred times or more. Jay had promised to love and protect her forever, but watching him asleep on the bed, Kim realized it was her duty to love and protect him, too.

  Jay turned onto his side, a frown crossing his face as he jarred his shoulder. For a moment, Kim thought he was going to wake up. He didn’t, but he stirred, muttering her name as if he was calling out to her from the dream world in which he dwelled.

  Not wanting to disturb his sleep, Kim slipped out of the room. As she closed the door behind her, she closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer to whoever might be listening, asking for someone to watch over Jay. He’d been through enough.

  Yet a deep-seated fear gripped her. One she could not shake off. This was not over. Kim had seen it in Jay’s face, heard it in his words.

  “Is he okay?” Alex asked, coming upstairs to join her.

  “Yes. I think so. I hope so.” She gave him a crooked smile. “I dreamed of finding him. But what if the dream turns into a nightmare?”

  “It won’t.” Alex put his hand on her upper arm and squeezed it. “I’m not saying it won’t take time. But you will get through it, and on the other side, you have the rest of your lives.” He gave her an awkward smile. “I’d like to help you. It’s not normal for a dragon to give away his treasure, but I have more money than we could spend in a lifetime.”

  “Is that because dragons don’t like spending money?” Kim asked, earning her a wide grin from Alex.

  “You know me too well. But I want to help you and Jay. And Archie, of course. I can buy you a house, or give Jay a job, when he’s well.” Alex gave her a searching look. “I assume he’s not going back undercover.”

  “No,” she confirmed. “Not that we’ve spoken about it. But no.” Kim would never tell Jay what to do, except for in this one thing. “Archie needs his father at home. And I need to know where Jay is. I don’t think I could spend another year not knowing.”

  “Then think about it, talk it over with Jay when he’s stronger.” Alex gave her a quick hug. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Kim asked.

  “This.” He put his hands out as if to encompass the world. “Without you, I would never have found Sapphi.”

  “In that case, you are welcome.” Kim remained outside of the room where Jay slept as Alex walked away. One day Jay would be happy and carefree, just like Alex.

  But Kim was not going to pretend there wouldn’t be a long road ahead of them.

  Chapter Eight – Jay

  Jay woke to darkness. His body tensed. Where was he? His brain fought through the fog of sleep, recalling the events of the past few days. Were they real? He lifted his head to look around, the pain in his shoulder confirming his memories.

  He’d been shot.

  He’d found his mate.

  She found us, his bear reminded him.

  Jay allowed his bear into his thoughts, taking strength from him when his body felt weak.

  Stretching, Jay rolled over, and immediately froze. There was someone else in the room with him.

  Our cub, his bear reminded him as he listened to the gentle rise and fall of Archie’s chest.

  Jay sat up, the pain in his shoulder duller now, the wound healing, soft tissue knitting together. His muscles complained as he stood on unsteady legs. How long had he slept? Longer than eight hours, if the stiffness in his limbs was any indication.

  When his vision adjusted to the darkness of the room, Jay took a step forward, then another, moving closer to the crib where his son slept. His son. A new life. The promise of a new start, contained within his mate and child, soothed his soul and chased away the specters of the past.

  Jay stood and watched the little person made from the love he shared with Kim. Archie looked so peaceful as he slept. He longed to tell Kim how happy he was that she’d given him a son. Jay looked around the room. She wasn’t here. The need to find her, to look upon her sweet face and know this was real and they were together again, overwhelmed him.

  Walking on silent feet, he opened the bedroom door and slid out into the hallway, trusting his senses to lead him to her. Surefooted, he turned to the right and headed for the stairs. She was beneath him, on the ground floor of the house. He yearned for her, the year they’d been apart too long. The feelings he’d buried surfaced, hot and bright, like a flash of fire across his eyes.

  Holding on to the handrail for support, he forced his legs to carry him downstairs, grateful when he reached the bottom to find his muscles looser. Jay flexed and stretched his muscles, shaking out his shoulders until they loosened. He wasn’t exactly ready for anything, but he didn’t feel as useless as he had when Wyatt had found him on the mountain.

  Allowing his senses to guide him, Jay opened a door, which led into a sitting room. The room was in darkness, but he didn’t need eyes to find Kim. She was sleeping on a soft sofa, a pillow under her head and a blanket over her body. Her breathing was soft and light, just as he remembered it.

  Jay circled the sofa, letting his senses roam, reaching out to locate all the other people in the house. It was a talent he’d gained when working undercover. Locating the enemy, was the term he used to describe it. Three adults upstairs, and two infants. No one on the ground floor, except his true love.

  Standing in front of the sofa, he hunkered down, his body his own once more, completely under control. Except his stomach, which growled so loudly it woke his mate with a start.

  “Jay?” Her hushed whisper told of her panic. “Is that you?”

  “Were you expecting someone else?” Jay asked, half-joking. He was aware of the scent of another male on Kim’s skin.

  “I might have been,” Kim joked as she pushed herself up on one elbow. “What time is it?”

  Jay shrugged in the darkness. “I don’t even know what day it is.”

  Kim rubbed her eyes and yawned. “You slept through a whole day and into the night.” She reached for her phone and tapped in her password to unlock it. “It’s 2:00 a.m., which means it’s Thursday.”

  “I lost a whole day?” That explained his stiff muscles.

  “You needed to sleep.” She brushed his face with her fingers. “You look a lot better.”

  “You can’t see me.” He cocked his head and looked down at her in the near complete darkness.

  “Which is why you look a lot better.” She chuckled. Here in the darkness, it could almost be like old times. They used to be happy, joking about the small stuff, teasing each other like two people comfortable with each other.

  “Thanks.” His stomach gurgled in protest once more. “Sorry.”

  Kim pushed herself into a sitting position, sliding her naked legs out from under the blanket. “Since I’m awake, I might as well feed you. I expect that’s why you came downstairs. You always did like your food.”

  He caught hold of her hand and pulled her back toward him. As she sat down heavily, he ran his hand up her calf and stroked her inner knee. “I came downstairs to find you.”

  Kim trailed her hand through his hair, and then along his jawline. “You need a shave.”

  “I need you.” He pulled her close and kissed her.

  Kim responded, wrapping her arms around his neck and cradling his head as she kissed him back with a fierceness that matched his own. All thoughts of food were forgotten. There was only Kim, she consumed his senses.

  “Your shoulder.” She touched the bandage covering his wound.

  “It’s better now.” Kim healed his wounds, both physical and mental. She made him forget about everything but the here and now. The bond between them was strong, they could overcome everything if they were together. How could he have been so stupid? They were part of a whole, weaker apart. But he’d torn them apart by leaving.

  “Stop thinking.” Her words cut through his thoughts and he locked eyes with her as she tapped his forehead lightly. “You go off in your own world and leave me here alone.” Kim wasn’t talking about him leaving her while he was undercover. And she was right, he was too lost in his own head. Why? Because that was how you survived when you couldn’t let those around you permeate your thoughts.

  “I’m sorry.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’ve lived in my head for so long, put up barriers to keep others from getting in there.”

  “You can let those barriers down with me. And with Archie. We’re part of you. And you are part of us.” Kim slipped down off the sofa, straddling his thighs. He instantly hardened as she moved, rocking her hips back and forth.

  Jay placed his hand on the nape of her neck and held her in place as he thrust his hips up, grinding into her. “I want you,” he gasped against her mouth as he claimed her lips.

  “I’m all yours.” Kim didn’t ask him if he was all right, she didn’t ask about his shoulder. Instead, she slipped her hand between their bodies and unbuckled his belt, then undid the buttons of his jeans, pulling the fabric open enough to slide her hand inside.

  She wrapped her hand around his hard length and stroked him, up and down, slowly, so slowly it was as if time stood still. He groaned, he’d longed for this moment, dreamed of this moment over and over as he lay alone in his bed. Even undercover, pretending to be someone else, he’d never as much as looked at another woman, let alone taken one to his bed.

  He was hers. Totally and completely.

  “Make love to me, Jay,” she whispered in his ear, her breath caressing his skin, making the hair stand on end.

  His shoulder throbbed as he stood up. Holding Kim in his arms, Jay turned around and sat down on the sofa. Kim adjusted her position, her thighs straddling him, as she lifted herself up. Jay hooked her panties to one side, grazing her heated sex with his fingers. She was wet, ready for him, in the same way as he was ready for her.

  Trying to compose himself, he closed his eyes as she guided him into her. His anticipation of this moment was so great, Jay was unsure if he would satisfy his mate, or come in the first twenty seconds of being inside her.

  Skin against skin, she lowered herself down on his rigid cock. Jay groaned, a deep guttural sound, as she impaled herself on him. Kim cupped his face in her hands and tilted his head back, claiming his mouth as she began to move. Circling her hips, she rode him in a steady rhythm, while their tongues entwined. She excited him, made him forget who he was.

  In this moment, nothing else mattered, as two mates joined together.

  Lifting the T-shirt she wore, he bared her breast, his palm rubbing over the taut bud of her nipple, before he tweaked it between his finger and thumb. Kim’s hips bucked, and she rocked back and forth in his lap, lost to the pleasure of their lovemaking.

  Her momentum increased, she was close to coming. It would take more than a year apart for Jay to forget how to read her body. With small whimpers against his mouth, she hastened toward her climax and he followed, his breath ragged as he broke their kiss and lowered his head to claim her breasts. Her nails dug into his flesh, her teeth nipped the sensitive skin of his neck, and then she cried out, soft mewling sounds as she came.

  Her sex throbbed and pulsed around him, sending shockwaves through his body rocking his senses, until he could hold on no longer. Lifting his hips off the sofa, he plunged into her, thrusting upward, hard, fast, his essence filling her. If only he could put another child in her womb. This time he would be here to watch her belly swell. He would be there to hear his child’s heartbeat, to watch the grainy image of his unborn child on a screen and celebrate the promise of a new life.

  She clung to him, her face buried in his neck as her orgasm subsided. Jay held her tight, never wanting this moment to end, never wanting to let her go.

  His rumbling stomach broke the mood, and she lifted her head and looked at him with a lopsided smile. “Our son is very much like you.”

  “Good looking and charming?” Jay asked, with a lightness in his heart brought on by the nearness of his mate.

  “No, his stomach is very demanding, he eats like a horse.” She kissed Jay’s lips and slid off his lap. “I’m going to the bathroom, and then I’ll make you something to eat.”

  “It’s the middle of the night. Don’t you want to sleep?” Jay asked.

  She shook her head. “I’d rather spend time with you. Just the two of us.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He buttoned his jeans and got up from the sofa, heading into the kitchen. Outside it was dark, and he stood staring out of the window, listening to the sounds of the house. It was so quiet, the house cocooned by the forest around them.

  Kim returned, and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder as she asked, “What do you want to eat?”

  “A sandwich would be great. I don’t want to wake anyone else up by clanking around the kitchen.” He turned away from the window and looked down at her face. “I love you. I want you to know that.”

  “I do.” Kim pulled away from him. “And I love you, too.”

  Kim made a sandwich, ham and cheese, which she set down on the table in front of him, then she slid into the seat across from him. He could hear the questions spinning through her head, but he wasn’t ready to answer them yet.

  “Tomorrow, I thought we could go into town, or walk in the mountains.” He bit into the sandwich and chewed slowly. “This is incredible.”

 

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