Bailey watched in awe as Gavin shifted to his bear form. He was larger in this form than she expected, but that shouldn’t have surprised her. He was massive as a human, and the same held true for him as a full grown grizzly bear.

She still couldn’t get over the fact that he was her fated mate, but there was no question. Every inch of her body knew that she belonged to Gavin as much as he belonged to her. It was the way of shifters. She’d never be able to explain it to her human friends.

Gavin was stunning in natural bear form. Easily twice his human size and covered with the thickest golden fur she’d ever seen. She started to run her fingers through his fur, but hesitated and pulled back, not knowing what the acceptable protocol was. Was it okay because she was his mate? Bailey chewed on her bottom lip, confused by her lack of knowledge when it came to all things in dealing with your mate, whom you literally just met.

Her voice was soft yet uncertain when she spoke. “I know it sounds silly, but I don’t know what I’m allowed to do. It’s not like I’ve ever had a mate before. Well, that, and the fact that we haven’t known each other very long. Only like a couple of hours.”

Gavin nudged her with his nose, indicating it was okay for her to do what she had wanted to do.

“You’re really soft,” Bailey giggled. “I wonder if my fur is this soft, too.”

Without warning, Gavin shifted back to his human form, leaving Bailey scratching his human head.

“Hey!” she protested.

“I want you to do whatever your instinct tells you to do. Like right now, my instinct is telling me to kiss you.”

Bailey gasped, “Yes, please.”

Sparks of awareness shot through her body the second Gavin’s lips closed over hers. He started off slow, deliciously exploring her mouth. Bailey’s legs trembled beneath her as his hands roamed over her body, massaging every inch of her curves.

She didn’t remember a kiss ever tasting so good, or having such a profound effect on her. Bailey’s hands flew to Gavin’s chest, ripping his button down shirt to shreds, wanting to feel the heat of his skin pressed against her.

Sweet blissful moans fluttered from her mouth when Gavin’s fingers slipped beneath her pants, finding her wetness. Never had she been so bold—so hungry for a man. Her body ached with a need she swore she’d never in her life thought possible. Not that she hadn’t had her fair share of men. She had, but none ever set her body on fire like Gavin managed to do with a single kiss.

“Gods, woman. You’re so fucking wet for me.”

“Yes! Gavin, I need you. Please.” Bailey wasn’t beneath begging for him to take her right there in the woods. She didn’t care where the fuck they were, as long as he would soon be inside of her.

Gavin yanked off his tattered shirt and spread it out on the ground before kneeling down and reaching for Bailey.

She quickly took his hand, not needing to be asked twice. Their lips crashed together once again. A hungry growl shot from her mouth. Raw hunger pulsed through her body. God, she needed Gavin more than she needed her next breath.

With one quick tug, Gavin yanked her pants off and tossed them to the side. “I can’t wait to taste you.”

He didn’t wait for her permission.

Or for her to respond.

Bailey shouted his name when his soft, warm tongue parted her folds. Her hands tunneled through his hair, grasping him tight. Her hips arched beneath him as he licked her from top to bottom and back again, making her body tremble with the simple swipe of his tongue.

“Oh Gods, yes!” Bailey moaned when he slid two fingers deep inside of her. Her muscles clenched and unclenched as her first climax tore through her.

“That’s it, baby. You taste so damn good. I want you to come all over my face.” Already addicted to the taste of her sweetness, he begged for more.

Gavin added a third finger, sending Bailey crashing over the edge. Just when she thought she couldn’t take a single ounce more of the pleasure Gavin was dishing out, he quickly drew back, only to stretch his body over hers.

“I can’t take it anymore. I need to be inside of you.”

Guiding his cock to her entrance, his mouth once again closed over hers.

Bailey groaned in anticipation.

With one quick shove, he thrust deep inside of her, stretching her further than she’d thought possible. Swallowing her enchanting moans, Gavin stilled, allowing her a moment to adjust to his size.

Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck. Her hips thrust up against him. “More!” she begged.

He felt so fucking good. She loved the fullness his cock provided each time he sunk deep inside of her.

She thanked the goddess above that she didn’t have to ask again. Gavin pulled out, clear to the tip, before thrusting into her once again. Bailey’s breaths were uneven as her body shook with a raw pleasure she’d never in her life experienced. Incoherent words tumbled from her lips as he worked her into a lust-fueled frenzy.

Her only thought—her only care, was the pleasure her mate gave to her at that very moment. The world around her could have exploded and she never would’ve noticed.

“You feel so fucking good,” Gavin grunted. “My beautiful mate. You’re so fucking hot. Tell me that you’re mine.”

“Yes! I’m yours. Only yours.” Bailey wrapped her legs tight around his waist, drawing him deeper inside of her, needing to feel every thick inch he had to offer.

“That’s it, take it all,” Gavin grunted again as he picked up his pace, slamming faster into her.

“Yes!” Bailey shouted as she sprinted toward another climax. Her bear pulsed just below her skin, wanting nothing more than to claim her mate. She tried to fight back against her bear, but she couldn’t muster the willpower or energy.

Any hope of coherent thought or action vanished with each thrust Gavin made. Bailey felt the bones in her face shifting, her teeth elongating. Before she knew what had happened, her fangs sank deep into Gavin’s shoulder. Blood poured over her tongue and down her throat.

Her bear roared in her mind.

“Mine!”